Ccr Values Research Articles

Volatile organic compounds in school environments of Hawassa city, Ethiopia and assessment of possible human health risks

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have become a major human wellbeing and environmental concern worldwide. However, evidence on VOC concentrations in primary school environments in Africa, including Ethiopia, is scarce. The goal of this research was to examine VOCs in primary schools in Hawassa, Ethiopia, and to evaluate possible health threats. Concentrations of 76 VOCs were investigated in air samples from classrooms and playgrounds of eight primary schools in Hawassa, Ethiopia. Air samples were taken via passive sampling method using Tenax TA as a sorbent and analyzed by using thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Highest total VOCs (TVOCs) concentration (83 μg/m3) was observed in the classroom of School 2 followed by the classroom of School 1 (76 μg/m3), while the smallest TVOC concentration, 37 μg/m3 in the playground of School 8. Among the BTEX, toluene was the most dominant in all samples, ranging from 33% in School 4–38% in School 1 of ∑BTEX. I/O ratios of individual VOC in the schools ranged from 0.44 in School 4 to 9.21 in School 2. The highest cumulative cancer risk (CCR × 106) and the total hazard ratio indicator (THRI) values were 126 and 1.58E-01 respectively, in the classroom of School 4. The CCR and THRI values indicated that the exposure of children to the measured concentrations of benzene may have potentially harmful effects.

Development of Electrochromic Devices, Based on Polymeric Gel, for Energy Saving Applications.

In this work, the implementation of an electrochromic device (10 cm × 10 cm in size) for energy saving applications has been presented. As electrochromic system has been used with an electrochromic solution (ECsol) made by ethyl viologen diperchlorate [EV(ClO4)2], 1,1'-diethyl ferrocene (DEFc) and propylene carbonate (PC), as solvent. The final system has been obtained by mixing the ECsol, described above, with a polymeric system made by Bisphenol-A glycerolate (1 glycerol/phenol) diacrylate (BPA) and 2,2-Dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (Irgacure 651) in a weight percentage equal to 60:40% w/w, respectively. Lithography has been used to make a spacer pattern with a thickness of about 15-20 µm between the two substrates. Micro-Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the EV•+ as justified by the blue color of the electrochromic device in the ON state. Electrochemical and optical properties of the electrochromic device have been studied. The device shows reversible electrochromic behavior as confirmed by cyclic color variation due to the reduction and oxidation process of the EV2+/EV•+ couple. The electrochromic device shows a variation of the % transmittance in the visible region at 400 nm of 59.6% in the OFF state and 0.48% at 3.0 V. At 606 nm the transmittance in the bleached state is 84.58% in the OFF state and then decreases to 1.01% when it is fully colored at 3.0 V. In the NIR region at 890 nm, the device shows a transmittance of 74.3% in the OFF state and 23.7% at 3.0 V while at 1165 nm the values of the transmittance changed from 83.21% in the OFF state to 1.58% in the ON state at 3.0 V. The electrochromic device shows high values of CCR% and exhibits excellent values of CE in both visible and near-infrared regions when switched between OFF/ON states. In the NIR region at 890 nm, electrochromic devices can be used for the energy-saving of buildings with a promising CE of 120.9 cm2/C and 420.1 cm2/C at 1165 nm.

Short-term determinants of banking profitability and financial sustainability of banks in Bangladesh: An empirical study of COVID-19 effects

The purpose of this study is to examine the profitability and financial sustainability of banks in Bangladesh before and during COVID-19. The study compares the profitability and financial sustainability of 23 listed private commercial banks. The data for short-term periods before the COVID-19 and during the COVID-19 crisis we used. Financial ratios, descriptive statistics, correlation matrix and linear regression model estimations are used for the analysis of data. The mean values of ROA, ROE and NIM are found before the COVID-19 crisis as 0.0019, 0.0270 and 0.0054, and during the COVID-19 as 0.00128, 0.01856 and 0.00321 respectively. On the other hand, the mean values of NFLR, CCR, ICR, and OSR are found before COVID-19 as 2.0936, 6.852, 0.9314 and 0.4751, and during COVID-19 as -2.5961, 5.879, 0.7673 and 0.3587 respectively. The findings construe a significant impact of the unprecedented pandemic. Within a short period of time, sample banks’ profitability and financial sustainability deteriorated significantly. A key implication of our study is that the private-sector commercial banks in Bangladesh experienced severe financial difficulties during COVID-19 which impacted their profitability and financial sustainability. The findings of the study suggest that adverse economic events have substantial effects on the financial realities of financial institutions. The findings of the study are expected to be useful to both academics and policymakers.

IKH-EFT: An improved method of workflow scheduling using the krill herd algorithm in the fog-cloud environment

Given the increase diversity of smart devices and objectives of the application management such as energy consumption, makespan users expect their requests to be responded to in an appropriate computation environment as properly as possible. In this paper, a method of workflow scheduling based on the fog-cloud architecture has been designed given the high processing capability of the cloud and the close communication between the user and the fog computing node, which reduces delay in response. We also seek to minimize consumption and reduce energy use and monetary cost in order to maximize customer satisfaction with proper scheduling. Given the large number of variables that are used in workflow scheduling and the optimization of contradictory objectives, the problem is NP-hard, and the multi-objective metaheuristic krill herd algorithm is used to solve it. The initial population is generated in a smart fashion to allow fast convergence of the algorithm. For allocation of tasks to the available fog-cloud resources, the EFT (earliest finish time) technique is used, and resource voltage and frequency are assumed to be dynamic to reduce energy use. A comprehensive simulation has been made for assessment of the proposed method in different scenarios with various values of CCR. The simulation results indicate that makespan exhibits improvements by 9.9, 8.7% and 6.7% on average compared with respect to the methods of IHEFT, HEFT and IWO-CA, respectively. Moreover, the monetary cost of the method and energy use have simultaneously decreased in the fog-cloud environment.

High-critical-current-ratio superconducting joint between Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2 tapes fabricated by angle-polishing method

Superconducting joints of Ba0.6K0.4Fe2As2 (BaK-122) tapes were fabricated by a simple cold-pressing method. The interfaces of the superconducting cores were prepared by two different methods; (i) peeling off a part of the Ag sheath (PO joint) and (ii) angle polishing of one edge of each tape (AP joint). For the PO joint, a critical current ratio (CCR =Icjoint/Ictape, where Ictape and Icjoint are critical currents in tapes and joint parts, respectively) of 30% at 4.2 K and 3.5 T was obtained. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the jointing area was not fully connected when the applied pressure was insufficient, and that cracks were induced in the superconducting core around the ends of the joint when the pressure was too high. These are considered to be factors that caused lowering of a CCR value. On the other hand, in the case of the AP joint, the formation of such gaps in the joint interface as well as inhomogeneous deformations and cracking around the joint-ends were successfully avoided. As a result, high CCR values of 80 ∼ 90% at 4.2 K under 0.5 ∼ 3.5 T were achieved, demonstrating that superconducting wires/tapes with sufficient length can be fabricated based on iron-based superconductors, which possibly opens up the potential for high-field magnet application.

Basal renal function in paediatric patients: Correlation of methods that depend on a 24 h urine collection with simpler methods that do not require a timed urine

IntroductionIn the daily practice it is necessary to have quick, easy and accesible methods to adequately assess the renal function. The objectives were: 1. Quantify the relationship and concordance of the glomerular filtration rate (FG) calculated by the clearance of creatinine in 24 h urine (CCr) and the original and modified Schwartz equation (SE). 2. Correlate urine elimination of substances that depend on the volume of excreted urine in a unit of time with other parameters that are calculated measuring the concentration of these substances in blood and urine. Materials and methodsThe study included 401 healthy children in the ages between 3 to14 (187 male and 214 female). The analysis between the variables was carried out by Pearson’s correlation coeficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient. ResultsThe correlation between values of CCr and the original SE (non standardized creatinine measuring) was r = 0.58 (P < 0.001) and the concordance, CCI = 0.74. Correlation between values of CCr and the modified SE (standardized creatinine measuring) was r = 0.68 (P < .001) and the concordance CCI = 0.78. There is a very significant correlation between the elimination of sodium in 24 h urine (mEq/Kg/24 h) and the Na-Fractional-Excretion (EFNa): r = 0.8 (P < .001). There was a correlation between the potasium elimination in 24 h (mEq/Kg/24 h) and EFK: r = 0.85 (P < .001). Between volume/minute/1.73 m² and the urine volume for each 100 ml FG was: r = 0.88 (P < .001). ConclusionsThese equations provide valuable information of the state of the basal renal function without having to turn to the minuted urine.

Effects of the physico-mechanical properties of low-strength pyroclastic rocks on cutter wear of roadheaders

Construction projects that use mechanical excavators such as tunnel boring machines (TBM) or roadheaders generally result in high costs due to cutter wear. Cold storage caverns (CSC) are one area where roadheaders are used, but excavations of CSCs show different characteristics than tunneling and mining excavations. The effects of the physico-mechanical properties of low - strength, pyroclastic rocks (tuffs) on the wear of roadheader cutters were investigated during the excavation of CSCs in the Cappadocia region of Turkey. The excavated tuffs containing 13–19% quartz had low uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), ranging from 3.14 to 13.17 MPa. Field excavation performance parameters were continuously recorded for one week on two similar roadheaders and 14 different CSCs projects. The average field cutter consumption rate (CCRField), defined as cutter material loss per excavation of 1 cubic meter rock, was calculated for each CSC. Physico-mechanical tests were performed on the rock samples collected from the CSC project areas. Additionally, sieve analyses were performed on the excavated rock materials to determine their coarseness index (CI) and mean particle size (d(50)). The calculated average CCR values were statistically analyzed with some physico-mechanical properties of rocks, in-situ Schmidt hammer hardness (SHHIn-situ), CI and d(50). Negative correlations were found between CCR and each of the UCS values, Brazilian tensile strength (BTS), point load strength (Is(50)), SHHIn-situ, CI and d(50), and a positive linear correlation was found only with the water contents of the rocks. All of these relationships were found to be dependent on crushing of the excavated materials in fine sizes, blockage of cutters by filling of the fine materials into the space between the holder and cutters and adherence of fine materials to the cutters and cutterhead, as affected by water/moisture and clay contents. This study, whose results apply to studies in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, showed that the CCRField of roadheaders decreased as the strength of rocks increased. These relationships specifically apply to easy-cutting tuffs with very low strength and high water content.

Randomness of critical chloride concentration of reinforcement corrosion in reinforced concrete flexural members in a tidal environment

In this paper, the free chloride concentrations at different depths and the corrosion rates of tensile reinforcements in tensile concrete zone of reinforced concrete (RC) beams under flexural loads in a simulated and natural tidal environment are tested. By considering the influence of time-dependent reinforcement corrosion, the time to corrosion initiation and critical chloride concentration (Ccr) in tensile concrete zone of RC beams under different exposure conditions can be obtained. The probability distribution forms of Ccr of tensile reinforcement corrosion initiation subjected to different exposure environments and flexural load levels have been compared by using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) hypothesis test method. Results indicate that the values of Ccr from the field exposure tests are lower than those obtained from the artificial simulation experiments. In a natural tidal environment, the chloride transport in concrete shows a stronger randomness, and the effect of flexural loads on the probability distribution forms of Ccr are also more significant. Moreover, under the flexural loads, Ccr in the simulated and natural tidal environment obeys a Gumbel distribution with mean value of 0.382% by weight of concrete and a Normal distribution with mean value of 0.328% by weight of concrete, respectively. However, without flexural loads, the values of Ccr in the simulated and natural tidal environment are found to follow a Gumbel distribution with mean value of 0.572% by weight of concrete and a Log-normal distribution with mean value of 0.356% by weight of concrete, respectively.

Population pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenomics of apixaban in Japanese adult patients with atrial fibrillation.

This study aimed to analyse the effects of genetic polymorphisms in drug transporters and metabolizing enzymes, and clinical laboratory data on the pharmacokinetic parameters of apixaban. Data were collected from 81 Japanese patients with atrial fibrillation. Pharmacogenomic data were stratified by ABCB1, ABCG2 and CYP3A5 polymorphisms. The pharmacokinetic profile of apixaban was described by a one-compartment model with first-order absorption. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted using a nonlinear mixed effect modelling (NONMEM™) program. The nonlinear relationship between oral clearance (CL/F) of apixaban and creatinine clearance (Ccr) was observed. The population mean of CL/F for a typical patient (Ccr value of 70mlmin-1 ) with the CYP3A5*1/*1 and ABCG2 421C/C or C/A genotypes was estimated to be 3.06lh-1 . When Ccr values were set to the typical value, the population mean of CL/F was 1.52 times higher in patients with the CYP3A5*1/*1 genotype compared with patients with the CYP3A5*1/*3 or *3/*3 genotype, while the population mean of CL/F was 1.49 times higher in patients with the ABCG2 421C/C or C/A genotype compared with patients with the ABCG2 421A/A genotype. However, no covariates affected the population mean of the apparent volume of distribution (Vd/F) of apixaban. The population mean of Vd/F was estimated to be 24.7l. The present study suggests that the ABCG2 421A/A and CYP3A5*3 genotypes and renal function are intrinsic factors affecting apixaban pharmacokinetics. These findings may provide useful information for precision medicine using apixaban, to avoid the risk of adverse reactions.

Factors affecting the progression of renal dysfunction and the importance of salt restriction in patients with type 2 diabetic kidney disease.

Type 2 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of end-stage renal failure, and the prevention of its progression has been a topic of discussion. Sixty type 2 DKD patients were retrospectively evaluated for 1 year. Factors independently affecting the annual Ccr decline were examined by multivariable linear regression analysis. Patients were further divided into 2 groups based on their degree of renal function, and between-group differences at study initiation were evaluated. Ccr values were 21.0 ± 11.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at study initiation, and 15.7 ± 10.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2) after 1 year of observation. The multivariable linear regression analysis indicated salt intake (standardized coefficient: -0.34, P = 0.010) and urinary protein excretion (standardized coefficient: -0.33, P = 0.011) to be factors independently affecting the annual Ccr decline. Although decliners (-9.8 ± 4.7 mL/min/1.73 m(2)/year) had a significantly higher salt intake than non-decliners (-1.1 ± 3.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2)/year) at study initiation, this difference disappeared at the end of the study as a result of intensive dietary education. In 21 decliners with an additional year of follow-up, the annual Ccr decline significantly improved from -10.1 ± 5.3 to -5.3 ± 7.4 mL/min/1.73 m(2)/year (P = 0.02). Salt intake and urinary protein excretion were associated with annual Ccr decline in type 2 DKD patients. Furthermore, dietary education covering salt intake may have positively affected the change in Ccr.

Relationship between dietary protein intake and the changes in creatinine clearance and glomerular cross-sectional area in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Dietary protein intake (PI) induces glomerular hyperfiltration and reduced dietary PI can be effective in preserving kidney function. However, there is limited information regarding the relationship between dietary PI and glomerular histological changes in chronic kidney disease. We investigated the relationship between changes in dietary PI and both the changes in creatinine clearance and glomerular histomorphometry in adult patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN). A total of 24 consecutive adult patients with biopsy-confirmed IgAN were enrolled and glomerular histomorphometric variables and clinical variables were investigated. The main clinical variables were differences in creatinine clearance (Ccr) (dCcr) and in PI (dPI) which were calculated by subtracting PI and Ccr values in patients on a controlled diet during hospitalization for kidney biopsy from the respective values in patients on daily diets as outpatients. These values of PI were estimated from urinary urea excretion measured by 24-h urine collection. The main renal histomorphometric variable was glomerular tuft area (GTA) (μm(2)). dCcr positively correlated with dPI (r = 0.726, P < 0.001). GTA correlated positively with dPI (r = 0.556, P = 0.013). Multiple regression analysis showed that dPI was independently associated with both dCcr and GTA. Additionally, GTA positively correlated with dietary PI as outpatients (r = 0.457, P = 0.043). Changes in dietary PI were associated with the changes in glomerular filtration rate. Furthermore, histomorphometric findings suggested that a greater dietary PI can affect the glomerular size at the time of the initial diagnostic biopsy for IgAN.

Abstract P047: Relation of Body Mass Index to Creatinine Clearance and Glomerular Filtration Rate in Japanese Population Samples in Japan and Hawaii

Background: Obesity is an established risk factor for hypertension and end stage kidney disease. There is little information on how obesity relates to risk of impaired renal function in apparently healthy individuals. We investigated associations of body mass index (BMI) with timed 24-hour creatinine clearance (Ccr) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the cross-sectional population-based INTERLIPID Study, ancillary study of the International Study on Macro- and Micro-Nutrients and Blood Pressure (INTERMAP). Methods: INTERLIPID participants ages 40-59 y from 5 INTERMAP research samples (4 Japanese and 1 Hawaiian) were investigated. Participants were ethnically all Japanese. Two timed 24-hour urine specimens were collected by each participant and analyses were performed in a central laboratory. Values of serum creatinine (Scr) were assayed by Jaffe’s method in a Japanese central laboratory. Data were analyzed from 1,338 Japanese, 570 men and 563 women in Japan, 100 men and 105 women in Hawaii. Measures of kidney function were 24-hour Ccr (ml/min) and GFR (ml/min/1.73m 2 ). Ccr was calculated by equation (urine creatinine х urine volume)/(Scr х 1440); GFR was calculated as Ccr х (1.73/body surface area (BSA)). BSA was estimated by the DuBois formula. In addition, estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated by use of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation, 186 х Scr -1.154 х age -0.203 х 0.742 (if female). All statistical analyses were stratified by gender. Adjusted mean values of Ccr, GFR, and eGFR in quartiles of BMI were estimated using analysis of covariance. Model 1 was adjusted for age; model 2, for age and urine volume; model 3 for variables in model 2 plus blood pressure, pulse rate, physical activity, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, urinary sodium excretion, HbA1c, and total serum cholesterol. Results: Ccr (mean (SD)) were 107.5 (18.9) in men in Japan, 91.9 (17.0) in women in Japan, 123.4 (25.1) in men in Hawaii, and 98.5 (20.3) in women in Hawaii. BMI quartile ranges were in men Q1 16.8-22.3, Q2 22.3-24.1, Q3 24.1-26.1, and Q4 26.1-42.9; in women Q1 15.9-21.2, Q2 21.2-23.0, Q3 23.0-25.1, and Q4 25.1-47.0. In men, BMI was positively related to multivariate-adjusted Ccr and GFR ( P for trend across BMI quartiles &lt;0.001 and &lt;0.001, respectively), however, multivariate-adjusted eGFR was inversely associated with BMI ( P for trend 0.001). In women, BMI was positively related to multivariate-adjusted Ccr ( P for trend across BMI quartiles &lt;0.001); multivariate-adjusted GFR and eGFR were not significantly associated with BMI. Interactions between age and BMI were not significant in men or women. Conclusions: These results indicate that excess BMI may lead to higher Ccr, and that the MDRD equation may underestimate GFR in middle-aged overweight or obese Japanese men.

Study of Renal Function in Living Kidney Donors: Estimated or Measured Glomerular Filtration

IntroductionIn living kidney donations the accuracy of renal function is fundamental, especially for potential donors who have limited renal function (creatinine clearance levels [CCr] <90 mL/m/1.73 m2), are >50 years old, and who have cardiovascular risk factors that might favor the development of kidney diseases. ObjectiveTo compare the direct measured glomerular filtration (mGFR) using 51Cr-EDTA and the estimations based on creatinine (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]): CCr with 24-hour urine, and estimated using Cockroft-Gault (adjusted using body surface area, Mosteller formula), modification of diet in renal disease–4 (MDRD-4), MDRD-6, and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) to determine the usefulness of different methods to evaluate the kidney function. Patients and MethodsThe kidney function evaluation was performed for 37 potential kidney donors using the 51Cr-EDTA method. The GFR obtained through the 51Cr-EDTA was compared with the CCr values in 24-hour urine and eGFR based on creatinine (Cockcroft-Gault, MDRD-4, MDRD-6, and CKD-EPI). ResultsUsing the Bland Altman graph, the most dispersed results were obtained with the eGFR using CCr in 24-hour urine and CKD-EPI. By means of Passing and Bablok, MDRD-4 and MDRD-6 showed the highest approximation to the reference method proposed to be substituted, whereas CCr showed a high dispersion. ConclusionThe eGFR using MDRD-4 and MDRD-6 formulas revealed the best adjustment to the measure by 51Cr-EDTA. This might represent the best option if a direct eGFR measure is not available.

Interleukin-18, CRP and procalcitonin levels in vesicoureteral reflux and reflux nephropathy

Background: Some patients with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) develop reflux nephropathy (RN) and a number of them progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, it is unclear to predict which patient will develop RN and/or CKD. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of Interleukin-18 (IL-18), C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) as an indicator of RN in VUR. Methods: Ninety-three children aged 3.5–16 years with primary VUR were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of renal scarring (RS). CRP, PCT, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), urinary protein (Up), creatinine (Ucr) and microalbumin (Umalb), serum and urine IL-18 levels were determined during urinary tract infection (UTI) free episode. Results: BUN, Scr, Up/Ucr and Umalb/Ucr concentrations were higher whereas calculated creatinine clearance (Ccr) values were lower in RS (+) group compared to RS (−) group. CRP, PCT, serum and urine IL-18 levels and mean urine IL-18/Cr concentrations were similar in both groups. Serum and urine IL-18 levels did not differ according to the grade of VUR. No significant correlation was found between CRP, PCT and IL-18. Conclusions: Proteinuria and microalbuminuria are valuable hallmarks of RN. CRP and PCT seem not to be reliable indicators of RN in VUR patients. Moreover, serum and urine IL-18 might not predict RN.

O2-018 - Phase II Study of S-1 Monotherapy with Application of Dose-Adjustment by Creatinine Clearance in Chemonaive Elderly Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of S-1, with adjusted doses based on body surface area (BSA) and creatinine clearance (Ccr), in chemonaive elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pharmacokinetic analysis was also carried out to evaluate the adequacy of the tailored S-1 dose. Methods Twenty-three patients with age 75 or older were enrolled from December 2007 to October 2009. S-1 was administered orally on days 1–28 twice daily (q42 days) until the first occurrence of disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or patient refusal. Doses of S-1 were adjusted based on individual Ccr and BSA. Pharmacokinetic studies were also carried out in 8 patients on day 7 of the first cycle. The primary objective is disease control rate (DCR; CR + PR + SD) and the secondary objectives are objective response rate (ORR), safety, overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and clinical benefit rate (CBR; the rate of CR + PR + SD >24 weeks). Results The ORR was 8.7% (2/23), DCR was 69.6% (16/23) and the CBR was 30.4% (7/23). The median survival time (MST) was 228 days and the median PFS was 117 days. As for safety, grade 3/4 hematologic toxic effects have never been observed. As non-hematologic toxic effects, only one patient (4.3%) has experienced grade 3 anorexia and nausea/vomiting. In the pharmacokinetic study group (n = 8), the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and the area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) of 5-FU were similar among eight patients irrespective of Ccr values which were comparable with the reported values in patients with normal renal function who received a standard dose of S-1 (80 mg/m2/day). Conclusions Our results suggest that tailored S-1 monotherapy is useful and tolerable as the first-line treatment in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC even when their renal functions are impaired.

Efficiency Analysis of the Korean Listed Display Companies

Abstract Although the display industry plays an important role in the entire Korean economy, few empirical research has analyzed the efficiency of display companies. The purpose of this paper is to measure and analyze efficiency of korean listed display firms using DEA(Data Envelopment Analysis) models. We evaluate the CCR and BCC efficiency in DEA models and the return to scale of the Korean listed display companies. The benchmarking companies and efficiency value for the display companies with inefficiency are also provided to improve their efficiency. We analyzed the 44 listed companies consisted of 7 listed on KOSPI and 37 listed on KOSDAQ at the end of 2010. The analysis results show six companies whose values of CCR are 1, and fourteen firms whose values of BCC efficiency are 1. In additions, the six companies have the scalability efficiency. Eventually the efficiency analysis can provide the valuable information for inefficient companies to find benchmarking companies and to improve their efficiency.

Aerva lanata(Polpala): Its effects on the structure and function of the urinary tract

Context:Aerva lanata is not prescribed for long-term use in Ayurveda as it is believed to produce structural changes in the urinary tract of the patients leading to renal failure.Aim:To investigate the toxic effects of Aerva lanata on the structure and function of urinary tract of a rat model (Sprague-Dawley rats).Settings and Design:An experimental study. Thirty male and thirty female healthy rats were randomly assigned to three groups (test groups 1, 2 and control) and administered dried infusion of A. lanata 25g/200ml (low dose), 100g/200ml (high dose) and distilled water respectively, for 30 days.Materials and Methods:Blood and urine were collected and creatinine was measured. Creatinine clearance (Ccr) and urine flow rate (UFR) of rats were determined to assess renal function. Kidneys, ureters, and bladders of rats were harvested for light microscopic (LM) studies. Electron microscopic (EM) studies were done on kidney tissues.Statistical Analysis Used:Difference in mean values of Ccr and UFR between test groups and the control group were compared statistically using independent T test. LM and EM findings of the two treated groups (T1 and T2) were statistically compared with the control group (C) using standard normal distribution.Results:Ccr and UFR of test groups were not significantly different from that of the control group. LM studies did not show any histological changes suggesting toxicity. EM, however showed significant ultra structural changes in proximal convoluted tubular epithelial cells of rats in the two test groups.Conclusion:Administration of dried Aerva lanata for a period of one month did not produce significant effects on renal function of rats. However administration for the same period caused significant ultra structural changes in the proximal convoluted tubular epithelial cells.

Prediction of the CEC to clay ratio using mid-infrared spectroscopy

The ratio of cation exchange capacity to clay (CCR) has been used as an index of clay mineralogy in subsoils low in organic matter in place of the standard X-ray diffraction measurement. Laboratory determination of this ratio is time-consuming and expensive and involves two analyses. In this paper, the CCR has been successfully predicted from mid-infrared diffuse reflectance spectra using partial least-squares regression (PLSR) with a square-root transformation of the CCR values (R2 = 0.860; root mean squared error of prediction = 0.089; relative per cent deviation = 2.660 for an independent validation set). The most important wavelengths used in the PLSR calibration were identified. The prediction of CCR using mid-infrared spectroscopy provides a cheaper and faster alternative to laboratory determination.

ANP와 DEA 결합모델 기반의 상장 건설기업의 효율성 분석

많은 국내 건설 회사들은 지속되는 건설 경기 침체로 힘든 시간을 보내고 있다. 따라서 건설기업들이 어려운 상황 속에서 살아남기 위해서는 효율적인 운영과 경쟁력 강화를 위한 경영 효율성의 분석이 필요하다. 본 논문에서는 국내 상장건설기업 효율성을 분석하기 위하여 ANP와 DEA의 결합모델을 제안한다. DAE에서 가장 중요한 투입요소와 산출요소를 결정하기 위하여 ANP 모델을 적용하여 투입요소와 산출요소의 중요도를 평가한다. 그리고 비효율성을 갖는 그룹으로 분류된 기업들에 대해서는 효율성을 갖는 벤치마킹 기업들과 이들 그룹으로 이동하기 위하여 개선해야할 효율성 수치를 제공한다. 본 연구에서는 KOSPI에 상장된 36개와 KOSDAQ에 상장된 21개로 구성된 57개의 건설기업을 분석하였다. 분석결과 CCR 모형에서 효율적으로 선정된 기업은 총 11개였고, BCC 모형에서는 총 14개 기업이 효율성을 가지고 있었다. 추가적으로 규모의 효율성이 1인 기업은 19개 기업이었다. Many Korean construction companies have fallen on hard times because the construction business continues to stagnate. Therefore it is necessary to measure the management efficiency for efficient operation and strengthening competitiveness of them in order to survive a difficult situation. This paper proposes a combined ANP and DEA model to analyze the efficiency of the listed construction firms. In order to determine the input and output variables of DEA, the ANP model is applied to evaluate the importance of input and output variables. The benchmarking companies and efficiency value for the construction firms with inefficiency are also provided to improve the their efficiency. The 57 listed construction companies consisted of 36 listed on KOSPI and 21 listed on KOSDAQ are analyzed in this study. The analysis results show that 11 companies whose values of CCR are 1, and 14 firms whose values of BCC efficiency are 1. In additions, the 19 firms have the scalability efficiency. Finally, we test the correlation between efficiency and the stock price.

AHP와 DEA 결합모델을 이용한 상장 건설기업의 효율성 분석

Recently, many construction firms fall on hard times because construction business continues to stagnate. In this paper, we analyze the efficiency of the listed construction firms using a combined AHP and DEA model. In order to determine the input and output factors of DEA, the AHP model is applied to evaluate the importance of input and output factors. The benchmarking companies and efficiency value for the construction firms with inefficiency are also provided to improve the their efficiency. We analyzed the 57 listed companies consisted of 36 listed on KOSPI and 21 listed on KOSDAQ at the end of 2009. The analysis results show that eleven companies whose values of CCR are 1, and fourteen enterprises whose values of BCC efficiency are 1. In additions, the eleven firms have the scalability efficiency. Finally, we test the correlation between efficiency and the stock price and the correlation coefficient of efficiency group is 0.7 in the CCR model.