• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.359-370
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• 2009

Arsenic and heavy metals leached out as a result of oxidation of tailings exposed to the surface pose a serious environmental contamination of mine areas. This study investigated how arsenic behavior is controlled by a variety of processes, such as oxidation of sulfides and formation or alteration of secondary minerals, based on mineralogical methods. The study was carried out using the tailing samples obtained from Nakdong mine located in Jeongseongun, Gangwondo. After separating magnetic and non-magnetic minerals using pretreated tailing samples, each mineral sample was classified according to their colors and metallic lusters observed by the stereoscopic microscope. Subsequently, the mineralogical properties were determined using various instrumental analyses, such as x-ray diffractometer (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA). The literature review confirmed that various ore minerals were identified in the Nakdong ore deposits. In this study, however, there were observed a few original ore minerals as well as secondary and/or tertiary minerals newly formed as a result of weathering including oxidation. In particular, we did not recognize pyrrhotite which has been known to originally exist in a large abundance, but peculiarly colloform-type iron (oxy)hydroxides were identified, which indicates most of pyrrhotite has been altered by rapid weathering due to its large reactivity. In addition, a secondary scorodites filling the fissure of weathered primary arsenopyrites were identified, and it is speculated that arsenic is immobilized through such a alteration reaction. Also, we observed tertiary iron (oxy)hydroxides were formed as a result of re-alteration of secondary jarosites, and it suggests that the environment of tailing has been changed to high pH from low pH condition which was initiated and developed by oxidation reactions of diverse primary ore minerals. The environmental change is mainly attributed to interactions between secondary minerals and parental rocks around the mine. As a result, not only was the stability of secondary minerals declined, but tertiary minerals were newly formed. As such a process goes through, arsenic which was immobilized is likely to re-dissolve and disperse into surrounding environments.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-139
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• 2010

Behavior of heavy metals and arsenic in the tailings of Songcheon Au-Ag mine was characterized via both mineralogical and geochemical methods. Mineral composition of the tailings was investigated by X-ray diffractometry, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) and total concentrations of heavy metals and arsenic and their chemical forms were analyzed by total digestion of aqua regia and sequential extraction method, respectively. The results of mineralogical study indicate that the tailings included mineral particles of resinous shape mainly consisting of galena, sphalerite, pyrite, quartz, and scorodite, and specifically socordite was identified in the form of matrix. EPMA quantitative analyses were performed to evaluate the weatherability of each mineral, and the results suggest that it decreased in the sequence of arsenopyrite > galena > sphalerite > pyrite. The weathering pattern of galena was observed to show distinctive zonal structure consisting of secondary minerals such as anglesite and beudantite. In addition, almost all of arsenopyrite has been altered to scorodite existing asmatrix and galena, sphalerite, and pyrite which have lower weatherability than arsenopyrite were identified within the matrix of scorodite. During the process of alteration of arsenopyrite into scorodite, it is likely that a portion of arsenic was lixiviated and caused a great deal of detrimental effects to surrounding environment. The results of EPMA quantitative analyses verify that the stability of scorodite was relatively high and this stable scorodite has restrained the weathering of other primary minerals within tailings as a result of its coating of mineral surfaces. For this reason, Songcheon tailings show the characteristics of the first weathering stage, although they have been exposed to the surface environment for a long time. Based on the overall results of mineralogical and geochemical studies undertaken in this research, if the tailings are kept to be exposed to the surface environment and the weathering process is continuous, not only hazardous heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic seem to be significantly leached out because their larger portions are being partitioned in weakly-bound (highly-mobile) fractions, but the potential of arsenic leaching is likely to be high as the stability of scorodite is gradually decreased. Consequently, it is speculated that the environmental hazard of Songcheon mine is significantly high.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.395-405
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• 2009

The maturity of amber matrix and inclusion was studied to explore the effect of heat treatment on the formation of the sun spangle in the transparent Baltic amber from Gdansk, Poland. Optical microscope revealed two types of inclusions in the original amber samples. The inclusions in the amber which had sun spangle were dramatically expanded by the heat treatment, comparing to those without sun spangle which contains fissure and shows different refractive index. The amber sample which didn't show sun spangle after the heat treatment showed a strong carbon related peak in TOF-SIMS spectra and weak oxygen related peak. it means that the maturity of this amber sample is comparatively higher than the one with spangle. The two amber samples show similar IR spectra before the heat treatment. However, the amber which had sun spangle exhibited an additional 1019 $cm^{-1}$ absorption peak and a more intense 887 $cm^{-1}$ peak. The different chemical compositions between the two types of amber is believed to be due to the different absorption spectra between 1000~600 $cm^{-1}$. According to the study of DSC analysis, the two samples show different DSC profiles. Although they have the same geological origin, their geological ages are different and have different chemical compositions. Thus, they exhibited different behavior after the heat treatment. The formation of sun spangle seemed to depend on the difference in the heat expansion rate of amber matrix with different maturity and chemical compositions.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.754-762
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• 1995

Strontium titanate(SrTiO$_3$) thin film was prepared on Si substrates by RF magnetron sputtering for a high capacitance density required for the next generation of LSTs. The optimum deposition conditions for SrTiO$_3$thin film were investigated by controlling the deposition parameters. The crystallinity of films and the interface reactions between SrTO$_3$film and Si substrate were characterized by XRD and AES respectively. High quality films were obtained by using the mixed gas of Ar and $O_2$for sputtering. The films were deposited at various bias voltages to obtain the optimum conditions for a high quality file. The best crystallinity was obtained at film thickness of 300nm with the sputtering gas of Ar+20% $O_2$and the bias voltage of 100V. The barrier layer of Pt(100nm)/Ti(50nm) was very effective in avoiding the formation of SiO$_2$layer at the interface between SrTiO$_3$film and Si substrate. The capacitor with Au/SrTiO$_3$/Pt/Ti/SiO$_2$/Si structure was prepared to measure the electric and the dielectric properties. The highest capacitance and the lowest leakage current density were obtained by annealing at $600^{\circ}C$ for 2hrs. The typical specific capacitance was 6.4fF/$\textrm{cm}^2$, the relative dielectric constant was 217, and the leakage current density was about 2.0$\times$10$^{-8}$ A/$\textrm{cm}^2$ at the SrTiO$_3$film with the thickness of 300nm.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.62-99
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• 1994

The fungal flora of Korean wood-rotting fungi were studied for two years from March of 1990 to February of 1992. Fresh fungi were collected from national parks, local areas, and islands throughout the country. Fleshy fungi of the Aphyllophorales were identified through specimen examination and literature studies. Total 217 species and 1 variety were counted, among which Aleurodiscus cerussatus, Botryobasidium obtusisporum, Ceraceomyces cystidiatus, Erythricium hypnophilum, Grandinia crustosa, Grandinia spathulata, Hyphoderma praetermissum, Hyphoderma roseocremeum, Hypochnicium bombycinum, Hypochnicium detriticum, Hypochnicium lundellii, Laeticorticium roseum, Mycoacia fuscoatra, Peniophora incarnata, Phanerochaete avellanea, Phanerochaete filamentosa, Phanerochaete martelliana, Phlebia lilascens, and Trechispora vaga under the Corticiaceae, Chondrostereum purpureum and Cystostereum subabruptum under the Stereaceae, Tomentella pilosa under the Thelephoraceae, Asterostroma laxum, Hymenochaete cruenta, Hymenochaete fuliginosa, Hymenochaete tabacina, Inonotus radiatus, and Phellinus pomaceus under the Hymenochaetaceae, Antrodia crassa, Antrodia serialis, Ceriporia reticulata, Oligoporus balsameus, Oligoporus guttulatus, Oxyporus cuneatus, Rigidoporus microporus, and Trichaptum laricinum under the Polyporaceae, total 36 species were confirmed as unrecorded species to Korea and are registered here with Korean names and English descriptions.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.21 no.1 s.96
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• pp.72-78
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• 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the antimicrobial and antioxidative effects of mycelium cultural extract from mushroom. Mushroom mycelium was grown in a defined synthetic liquid medium and citrus extracts, and the culture extracts were examined for antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Myceliums of Phellinus linteus, Cordyceps militaris, Coriolus versicolor, Sparassic crispa, Agaricus blazei, lnonotus obliquus, Lentinus edodes, Hericium erinacium, Gonoderma lucidium in 10% citrus extract supplemented medium and synthesis medium were incubated in a shaking incubator (120 rpm, $24{\sim}30^{\circ}C$ ) for $7{\sim}15$ days. The antimicrobial activity of the culture fluid of mushroom mycelium grown in submerged liquid culture was tested against 12 microorganisms which were fish pathogens and common bacterial species. The culture extracts showed high activity against Vibrio sp. and had poor effect on Streptocouus sp., S. parauberis, S. iniae. The culture extracts obtained from the synthetic medium showed $30{\sim}93%$ of the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenger activity, the culture extracts obtained from the citrus extracts medium exhibited antioxidant activity up to 55%.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.510-521
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• 2003

Background : The surfactant specific proteins, SP-B and SP-C are believed to be important regulators of the surfactant function and homeostasis. Since acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is usually viewed as the functional and morphological expression of a similar underlying lung injury caused by a variety of insults, and since abnormalities in the surfactant function have been described in ARDS, the authors investigated the different effects of endotoxin and thiourea on the accumulation of mRNA encoding SP-B and SP-C. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were given 5 mg/kg of an intraperitoneal endotoxin from Salmonella enteritidis and 3.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal thiourea and were sacrificed at different time periods. Results : 1. The SP-B mRNA levels 6 and 24 hours after the 5 mg/kg endotoxin treatment was significantly reduced by 26.1% and 50%, respectively(P<0.01, P<0.001). 2. The SP-B mRNA levels 24 hours after the 3.5 mg/kg thiourea treatment was reduced by 9.8% and 12.5%, respectively. 3. The SP-C mRNA levels 6 and 24 hours after the 5 mg/kg endotoxin treatment was significantly reduced by 38.7% and 53.6%, respectively(P<0.01, P<0.001). 4. The SP-C mRNA level 6 hours after the 3.5 mg/kg thiourea treatment was reduced by 22.8%(P<0.05). Conclusion : These results indicate that the differential regulation of the hydrophobic surfactant proteins in vivo is evident, and suggest that the hydrophobic surfactant proteins might be differentially regulated during lung injury at different time periods without altering the lung wet to dry ratios. The mechanism of these alternations at the different time periods and the different kinds of etiology remain to be determined.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.469-480
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• 2012

This study was to analyze the characteristics of diurnal variation of high $PM_{2.5}$ concentration, $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ concentration ratio by spatio-temporal wind system (wind speed and wind direction) for high $PM_{2.5}$ concentration (over the 24 hr environmental standard of $PM_{2.5}$, $50{\mu}g/m^3$) in the air quality observation sites (Jangrimdong: Industrial area, Jwadong: Residential area) that were measured for 3 years (2005. 12. 1-2008. 11. 30) in Busan. The observation days of high $PM_{2.5}$ concentration were 182 at Jangrimdong and 27 at Jwadong. The seasonal diurnal variation of hourly mean of high $PM_{2.5}$ concentration and of $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ concentration ratio showed a similar pattern that had higher variation at dawn, and night and in the morning than in the afternoon. Durning daytime in summer at Jwadong, the $PM_{2.5}/PM_{10}$ concentration ratio increased because a secondary particulate matter, which was created by photochemical reaction, decreased the coarse particles of $PM_{10}$ more than the fine particles of $PM_{2.5}$ concentrations in ocean condition. We did an analysis of spatio-temporal wind system (wind speed range and wind direction) in each time zone. The result showed that high $PM_{2.5}$ concentration at Jangrimdong occurred due to the congestion of pollutants emissions from the industrial complex in Jangrimdong area and the transportation of pollutants from places nearby Jangrimdong. It also showed that high $PM_{2.5}$ concentration occurred at Jwadong because of a number of local residential and commercial activities that caused the congestion of pollutants.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2010

Purpose: Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) allows for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of common aneuploidies. The main advantages of this assay are its low cost, speed, and automation, allowing for large-scale application. However, despite these advantages, it is not a routine method for prenatal aneuploidy screening in Korea. Our objective in the present study was to validate the performance of QF-PCR using short tandem repeat (STR) markers in a Korean population as a means for rapid prenatal diagnosis. Material and Methods: A QF-PCR assay using an Elucigene kit (Gen-Probe, Abingdon, UK), containing 20 STR markers located on chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y, was performed on 847 amniotic fluid (AF) samples for prenatal aneuploidy screening referred for prenatal aneuploidy screening from 2007 to 2009. The results were then compared to those obtained using conventional cytogenetic analysis. To evaluate the informativity of STR markers, the heterozygosity index of each marker was determined in all the samples. Results: Three autosomes (13, 18, and 21) and X and Y chromosome aneuploidies were detected in 19 cases (2.2%, 19/847) after QF-PCR analysis of the 847 AF samples. Their results are identical to those of conventional cytogenetic analysis, with 100% positive predictive value. However, after cytogenetic analysis, 7 cases (0.8%, 7/847) were found to have 5 balanced and 2 unbalanced chromosomal abnormalities that were not detected by QF-PCR. The STR markers had a slightly low heterozygosity index (average: 0.76) compared to those reported in Caucasians (average: 0.80). Submicroscopic duplication of D13S634 marker, which might be a unique finding in Koreans, was detected in 1.4% (12/847) of the samples in the present study. Conclusion: A QF-PCR assay for prenatal aneuploidy screening was validated in our institution and proved to be efficient and reliable. However, we suggest that each laboratory must perform an independent validation test for each STR marker in order to develop interpretation guidelines of the results and must integrate QF-PCR into the routine cytogenetic laboratory workflow.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2011

Purpose: Supernumerary marker chromosome (SMC) could be associated with various phenotypic abnormalities based on the chromosomal origin of SMCs. The present study aimed to determine the genomic contents of SMCs using chromosomal microarray and to analyze molecular cytogenetic characterizations and clinical phenotypes in patients with SMCs. Materials and Methods: Among patients with SMCs detected in routine chromosomal analysis, SMCs originating from chromosome 15 were excluded from the present study. CGH-based oligonucleotide chromosomal microarray was performed in 4 patients. Results: The chromosomal origins of SMCs were identified in 3 patients. Case 1 had a SMC of 16.1 Mb in 1q21.1-q23.3. Case 2 showed 21 Mb gain in 19p13.11-q13.12. Case 3 had a 4.5 Mb-sized SMC rearranged from 2 regions of 2.5 Mb in 22q11.1-q11.21 and 2.0 Mb in 22q11.22-q11.23. Conclusion: Case 1 presented a wide range of phenotypic abnormalities including the phenotype of 1q21.1 duplication syndrome. In case 2, Asperger-like symptoms are apparently related to 19p12-q13.11, hearing problems and strabismus to 19p13.11 and other features to 19q13.12. Compared with cat-eye syndrome type I and 22q11.2 microduplication syndrome, anal atresia in case 3 is likely related to 22q11.1-q11.21 while other features are related to 22q11.22-q11.23. Analyzing SMCs using high-resolution chromosomal microarray can help identify specific gene contents and to offer proper genetic counseling by determining genotype-phenotype correlations.