• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.105-111
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• 2015

In late December 2013, the Ebola virus emerged from West Africa. The outbreak started in Guinea and rapidly spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. Initially, the virus is spread to the human population after contact with infected wildlife and then spread person-to-person through direct contact with body fluids such as blood, sweat, urine, semen, and breast milk. The Ebola virus infects endothelial cells, mononuclear phagocytes and hepatocytes. It causes massive damage to internal tissues and organs, such as blood vessels and the liver, and ultimately death. Most tests for the virus RNA rely on a technology called reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). While this method is highly sensitive, it is also expensive, requiring skilled scientists, and delicate power supplies. The strip analytical technique (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or ELISA) detects antigens or antibodies to the Ebola virus. This test is cheap and does not require electricity or refrigeration. Despite ongoing efforts directed at experimental treatments and vaccine development, current medical work on the Ebola viral disease is largely limited to supportive therapy. Thus, rapid and reliable diagnoses of the Ebola virus are critically important for patient management, infections, prevention, and control measures.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.3D
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• pp.413-420
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• 2011

An experiment was conducted to suggest the road pavement material combining wooden chip crushed from little useful roots and branches from logging sites or wood waste from construction sites with urethane resin. For the specimen, the mass ratio of urethane resin to construction wood waste chip/lumber waster chip was set to three different levels of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0, which was measured, mixed with mixer, and molded; 7 days after, tensile strength test, elasticity test using golf balls and steel balls, permeability coefficient measurement, and flammability test were executed. As the result, the tensile strength of the specimen at the dry state in the air exhibited the range of 0.2-1.1MPa, and there was no change after 7 days of aging. When submerged in water, however, the strength was partially diminished; the diminishing rate was greater for less urethane resin usage, and therefore it appears desirable to set the mass ratio of resin to the wood waste chip over 0.75 to consider the moisture intrusion by precipitation and such. As the result of elasticity test, the GB and SB coefficients of the specimen using wood waste chips and urethane resin were measured to be low at below 20%, exhibiting excellent elasticity as road pavement material. Also, the permeability coefficient was over 0.5mm/sec for specimens of all combinations, exceeding the standard value required after construction for permeable pavement material, and the flammability of wood-type pavement material was evaluated to have no practical issues.

• Journal of the Korean Electrochemical Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2014

In this study, the method to improve the electrochemical performance of $LiFePO_4$ by carbon coating and morphology control into porous structure was studied. The synthesis of $LiFePO_4$ was done by coprecipitation method by two step procedure. In the first step $FePO_4$ precursor was synthesized by coprecipitation method, followed by impregnation of lithium into the precursor at $750^{\circ}C$. The carbon coating was done by both physical and chemical coating processes. Using the physical coating process, the amount of coating layer was 6% and the capacity achieved was 125 mAh/g. In case of chemical coating process, the active material delivered 130~140 mAh/g, which is about 40% improvement of delivered capacity compared to uncoated $LiFePO_4$. For the morphology control into porous structure, we added nano particles of $Al_2O_3$ or $SiO_2$ into the active materials and formed the nanocomposite of ($Al_2O_3$ or $SiO_2$)/$LiFePO_4$. Between them, $SiO_2/LiFePO_4$ porous nanocomposite showed larger capacity of 132 mAh/g.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.884-889
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• 2002

In order to investigate the calcium phosphate forming ability of nanocrystalline $ZrO_2$ film, we prepared $ZrO_2/Si$ structure by using a chemical solution deposition with a zirconium naphthenate as a starting material. Precursor sol was spin-coated onto the (100)Si substrate and prefired at 500$^{\circ}C$ for 10 min in air, followed by final annealing at 800$^{\circ}C$ for 30 min in air. Crystallinity of the annealed film was examined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Surface morphology and surface roughness of the film were characterized by field emission-scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. After annealing, nanocrystalline $ZrO_2$ grains were obtained on the surface of the film with a homogeneous interface between the film and substrate. After immersion for 1 or 5 days in a simulated body fluid, formation of calcium phosphate was observed on $ZrO_2$ film annealed at 800$^{\circ}C$ by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that carbonate was substituted into the calcium phosphate.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.123-127
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• 2012

In order to develop eco-friendly biopesticide, an entomopathogenic bacterium Photorhabdus temperata M1021 has been lyophilized via freeze-drying along with protective agents such as skim milk, starch, sodium alginate, glucose and sodium glutamate to protect cells from lysis. Freeze-drying powder of P. temperata M1021 containing 7% skim milk (w/v) showed highest survival rate of 63% among all the protective agents used in trials. Furthermore, the freeze-dried microbial powder showed 75% of survival rate after stored at $4^{\circ}C$ for 4 weeks at air contact conditions. Injection toxicity of the freeze-dried sample was tested against larvae of Galleria mellonella. A dose of $2.0{\times}10^1$ cells of P. temperata M1021 killed 100% of the G. mellonella larvae within 4 days after injection. Moreover, $2.0{\times}10^0$ cells caused 50% mortality within the 4 days after injection. Freeze-dried P. temperata M1021 strains exhibited effective insecticidal activity and could be a better candidate for being used as a biopesticide.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.240-246
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• 2023

This study was performed to convert NO_x in atmosphere by photochemical reaction utilizing the eco-friendly solar energy. The mortar specimen coated with photocatalyst was fabricated and the photochemical conversion efficiency of NO_x was analyzed. The photocatalyst coated concrete was fabricated by first adding TiO₂ photocatalyst on the bottom of mold first and next adding cement mortar and, then, curing the concrete mortar. The grease was sprayed on the bottom of mold in advance so that the concrete can be demolded easily after curing. The conversion efficiencies of NO_x by photochemical reactions were investigated systematically by changing the process variable conditions of amount of TiO₂ coating, UV-A light intensity, total gas flow rate, relative humidity and initial NO_x concentration. It was confirmed that the photocatalyst coated concrete fabricated in this study could convert NO_x successfully for various process conditions in atmosphere. In future, we believe this research result can be utilized as basic data to design the infrastructure of building, tunnel and road for controlling efficiently the air pollutants such as NO_x, SO_x, and VOCs.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.123-131
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• 2009

Purpose: We tested a sample of nuclear medicine workers at Korean healthcare institutions for internal contamination with radioactive isotopes, measuring concentrations and evaluating doses of individual exposure. Materials and Methods: The detection and measurement was performed on urine samples collected from 25 nuclear medicine workers at three large hospitals located in Seoul. Urine samples were collected once a week, 100~200 mL samples were gathered up to 6~10 times weekly. A high-purity germanium detector was used to measure gamma radiations in urine samples for the presence of radioactive isotopes. Based on the detection results, we estimated the amounts of intake and committed effective doses using IMBA software. In cases where committed effective doses could not be adequately evaluated with IMBA software, we estimated individual committed effective doses for radionuclides with a very short half life such as $^{99m}Tc$ and $^{123}I$, using the methods recommended by International Atomic Energy Agency. Results: Radionuclides detected through the analysis of urine samples included $^{99m}Tc$, $^{123}I$, $^{131}I$ and $^{201}Tl$, as well as $^{18}F$, a nuclide used in Positron Emission Tomography examinations. The committed effective doses, calculated based on the radionuclide concentrations in urine samples, ranged from 0 to 5 mSv, but were, in the majority of cases, less than 1 mSv. The committed effective dose exceeded 1 mSv in three of the samples, and all three were workers directly handling radioactive sources. No nurses were found to have a committed effective dose in excess of 1 mSv. Conclusions: To improve the accuracy of results, it may be necessary to conduct a long-term study, performed over a time span wide enough to allow the clear determination of the influence of seasonal factors. A larger sample should also help increase the reliability of results. However, as most Korean nuclear medicine workers are currently not necessary to monitored routinely for internal contamination with radionuclides. Notwithstanding, a continuous effort is recommended to reduce any unnecessary exposure to radioactive substances, even if in inconsequential amounts, by regularly surveying workplace environments and frequently monitoring atmospheric concentrations of radionuclides.

• Proceedings of the Korea Crystallographic Association Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.45-47
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• 2002

반도체 소자의 고집적화 및 고속화가 요구됨에 따라 MOSFET 구조의 게이트 절연막으로 사용되고 있는 SiO₂ 박막의 두께를 감소시키려는 노력이 이루어지고 있다. 0.1㎛ 이하의 소자를 위해서는 15Å 이하의 두께를 갖는 SiO₂가 요구된다. 하지만 두께감소는 절연체의 두께와 지수적인 관계가 있는 누설전류를 증가시킨다[1-3]. 따라서 같은 게이트 개패시턴스를 유지하면서 누설전류를 감소시키기 위해서는 높은 유전상수를 갖는 두꺼운 박막이 요구되는 것이다. 그러므로 약 25정도의 높은 유전상수를 갖고 5.2～7.8 eV 정도의 비교적 높은 bandgap을 갖으며, 실리콘과 열역학적으로 안정한 물질로 알려진 HfO2[4-5]가 최근 큰 관심을 끌고 있다. 본 연구에서는 HfO₂ 박막을 실제 소자에 적용하기 위하여 전극 및 열처리에 따른 HfO₂ 박막의 미세구조 및 전기적 특성에 관한 연구를 수행하였다. 이를 위해, HfO₂ 박막을 reactive DC magnetron sputtering 방법으로 증착하고, XRD, TEM, XPS를 사용하여 ZrO₂ 박막의 미세구조를 관찰하였으며, MOS 캐패시터 구조의 C-V 및 I-V 특성을 측정하여 HfO₂ 박막의 전기적 특성을 관찰하였다. HfO₂ 타겟을 스퍼터링하면 Ar 스퍼터링에 의해 에너지를 가진 산소가 기판에 스퍼터링되어 Si 기판과 반응하기 때문에 HfO₂ 박막 형성과 더불어 Si 기판이 산화된다[6]. 그래서 HfO₂같은 금속 산화물 타겟 대신에 순수 금속인 Hf 타겟을 사용하고 반응성 기체로 O₂를 유입시켜 타겟이나 시편위에서 high-k 산화물을 만들면 SiO/sub X/ 계면층을 제어할 수 있다. 이때 저유전율을 갖는 계면층은 증착과 열처리 과정에서 형성되고 특히 500℃ 이상에서 high-k/Si를 열처리하면 계면 SiO₂층은 증가하는 데, 이것은 산소가 HfO₂의 high-k 박막층을 뚫고 확산하여 Si 기판을 급속히 산화시키기 때문이다. 본 방법은 증착에 앞서 Si 표면을 희석된 HF를 이용해 자연 산화막과 오염원을 제거한 후 Hf 금속층과 HfO₂ 박막을 직류 스퍼터링으로 증착하였다. 우선 Hf 긍속층이 Ar 가스 만의 분위기에서 증착되고 난 후 공기중에 노출되지 않고 연속으로 Ar/O₂ 가스 혼합 분위기에서 반응 스퍼터링 방법으로 HfO₂를 형성하였다. 일반적으로 Si 기판의 표면 위에 자연적으로 생기는 비정질 자연 산화막의 두께는 10～15Å이다. 그러나 Hf을 증착한 후 단면 TEM으로 HfO₂/Si 계면을 관찰하면 자연 산화막이 Hf 환원으로 제거되기 때문에 비정질 SiO₂ 층은 관찰되지 않았다. 본 실험에서는 HfO2의 두께를 고정하고 Hf층의 두께를 변수로 한 게이트 stack의 물리적 특성을 살펴보았다. 선증착되는 Hf 금속층을 0, 10, 25Å의 두께 (TEM 기준으로 한 실제 물리적 두께) 로 증착시키고 미세구조를 관찰하였다. Fig. 1(a)에서 볼 수 있듯이 Hf 금속층의 두께가 0Å일때 13Å의 HfO₂를 반응성 스퍼터링 방법으로 증착하면 HfO₂와 Si 기판 사이에는 25Å의 계면층이 생기며, 이것은 Ar/O₂의 혼합 분위기에서의 스퍼터링으로 인한 Si-rich 산화막 또는 SiO₂ 박막일 것이다. Hf 금속층의 두께를 증가시키면 계면층의 성장은 억제되는데 25Å의 Hf 금속을 증착시키면 HfO₂ 계면층은 10Å미만으로 관찰된다. 그러므로 Hf 금속층이 충분히 얇으면 플라즈마내 산소 라디칼, 이온, 그리고 분자가 HfO₂ 층을 뚫고 Si 기판으로 확산되어 SiO₂의 계면층을 성장시키고 Hf 금속층이 두꺼우면 SiO/sub X/ 계면층을 환원시키면서 Si 기판으로의 산소의 확산은 막기 때문에 계면층의 성장은 억제된다. 따라서 HfO₂/Hf(Variable)/Si 계에서 HfO₂ 박막이 Si 기판위에 직접 증착되면, 순수 HfO₂ 박막의 두께보다 높은 CET값을 보이고 Hf 금속층의 두께를 증가시키면 CET는 급격하게 감소한다. 그러므로 HfO₂/Hf 박막의 유효 유전율은 단순 반응성 스퍼터링에 의해 형성된 HfO₂ 박막의 유전율보다 크다. Fig. 2에서 볼 수 있듯이 Hf 금속층이 너무 얇으면 계면층의 두께가 두꺼워 지고 Hf 금속층이 두꺼우면 HfO₂층의 물리적 두께가 두꺼워지므로 CET나 EOT 곡선은 U자 형태를 그린다. Fig. 3에서 Hf 10초 (THf=25Å) 에서 정전 용량이 최대가 되고 CET가 20Å 이상일 때는 high-k 두께를 제어해야 하지만 20Å 미만의 두께를 유지하려면 계면층의 두께를 제어해야 한다.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.443-454
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• 2010

Phthalate compounds are widely used as plasticizers in polyvinyl chlororide (PVC) resins and other industrial consumer products, and some of them are known to be endocrine disruptors. In Korea, a number of studies have been carried out for the measurement of phthalates in consumer products and drinking water. However, no data are available for those compounds in the ambient air where the general public are routinely exposed. In this study, we evaluated sampling and analytical methods for the determination of phthalates in the ambient atmosphere. A wide range of phthalates compounds were included in the target analytes, which are dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DOP). Most of samples were collected using a high volume sampler with a PUF/XAD-2 column/quartz fiber filter and then analyzed by GC/MS. Some of samples were simultaneously collected on XAD-2 using a low-volume sampler, together with high-volume samples. The analytical method applied in this study showed good repeatability and linearity. Quantitative detection limits were estimated from 0.60 to 17.84 ng/$m^3$ in air, depending on individual compounds. The field measurements were carried out at 3 sites located in Sihwa- Banwall industrial areas and a suburban area from January 2007 to November 2007. From the field experiments, DEHP, DMP and DBP appeared to be the most abundant compounds in the ambient air. It was also found that DMP, DEP and DBP were mainly distributed in the vapor phase, while BBP, DEHP and DOP were predominantly associated with the particulate phase. The concentrations of DEHP and DMP in the industrial areas ranged from 45.7 to 1,012.7 ng/$m^3$ and from 7.7 to 375.1 ng/$m^3$, respectively. Overall, the high-volume sampling method was demonstrated to be superior to the low-volume method for the determination of phthalates in the ambient atmosphere.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 1998

Purpose : The objective of this study is to introduce our installation of a non-commercial 3D Planning system, Plunc and confirm it's clinical applicability in various treatment situations. Materials and Methods : We obtained source codes of Plunc, offered by University of North Carolina and installed them on a Pentium Pro 200MHz (128MB RAM, Millenium VGA) with Linux operating system. To examine accuracy of dose distributions calculated by Plunc, we input beam data of 6MV Photon of our linear accelerator(Siemens MXE 6740) including tissue-maximum ratio, scatter-maximum ratio, attenuation coefficients and shapes of wedge filters. After then, we compared values of dose distributions(Percent depth dose; PDD, dose profiles with and without wedge filters, oblique incident beam, and dose distributions under air-gap) calculated by Plunc with measured values. Results : Plunc operated in almost real time except spending about 10 seconds in full volume dose distribution and dose-volume histogram(DVH) on the PC described above. As compared with measurements for irradiations of 90-cm 550 and 10-cm depth isocenter, the PDD curves calculated by Plunc did not exceed $1\%$ of inaccuracies except buildup region. For dose profiles with and without wedge filter, the calculated ones are accurate within $2\%$ except low-dose region outside irradiations where Plunc showed $5\%$ of dose reduction. For the oblique incident beam, it showed a good agreement except low dose region below $30\%$ of isocenter dose. In the case of dose distribution under air-gap, there was $5\%$ errors of the central-axis dose. Conclusion : By comparing photon dose calculations using the Plunc with measurements, we confirmed that Plunc showed acceptable accuracies about $2-5\%$ in typical treatment situations which was comparable to commercial planning systems using correction-based a1gorithms. Plunc does not have a function for electron beam planning up to the present. However, it is possible to implement electron dose calculation modules or more accurate photon dose calculation into the Plunc system. Plunc is shown to be useful to clear many limitations of 2D planning systems in clinics where a commercial 3D planning system is not available.