• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2010

Retinal prostheses are being developed to restore vision for the blind with retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Since retinal prostheses depend upon electrical stimulation to control neural activity, optimal stimulation parameters for successful encoding of visual information are one of the most important requirements to enable visual perception. Therefore, in this paper, we focused on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) responses to different voltage stimulation parameters and compared threshold charge densities in normal and rd1 mice. For this purpose, we used in vitro preparation for the retina of normal and rd1 mice on micro-electrode arrays. When the neural network of rd1 mouse retinas is stimulated with voltage-controlled pulses, RGCs in degenerated retina also respond to voltage amplitude or voltage duration modulation as well in wild-type RGCs. But the temporal pattern of RGCs response is very different; in wild-type RGCs, single peak within 100 ms appears while in RGCs in degenerated retina multiple peaks (~4 peaks) with ~10 Hz rhythm within 400 ms appear. The thresholds for electrical activation of RGCs are overall more elevated in rd1 mouse retinas compared to wild-type mouse retinas: The thresholds for activation of RGCs in rd1 mouse retinas were on average two times higher ($70.50{\sim}99.87\;{\mu}C/cm^2$ vs. $37.23{\sim}61.65\;{\mu}C/cm^2$) in the experiment of voltage amplitude modulation and five times higher ($120.5{\sim}170.6\;{\mu}C/cm^2$ vs. $22.69{\sim}37.57\;{\mu}C/cm^2$) in the experiment of voltage duration modulation than those in wild-type mouse retinas. This is compatible with the findings from human studies that the currents required for evoking visual percepts in RP patients is much higher than those needed in healthy individuals. These results will be used as a guideline for optimal stimulation parameters for upcoming Korean-type retinal prosthesis.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2002

XRF, XRD, EPMA have been used to investigate microstructures and mineralogical changes caused by the faulting and fluids associated with faulting in the Quaternary fault gouge zones at the Sangchon, Ipsil and Wangsan faults located at the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula. The chemical compositions of faulted rocks and protoliths analyzed by XRF show that the fault gouges are relatively enriched in TiO$_2$, P$_2$O$_{5}$, MgO, and Fe$_2$O$_3$) compared with protoliths, indicating that the fluids associated with faulting were highly activated. XRD results show that the fault gouges predominantly consist of quartz, feldspar, calcite and clay minerals. Clay minerals formed in the gouge zones are mainly composed of smectite characterized by a dioctahedral sheet. Based on EPMA analyses various kinds of sulfide, carbonate, phosphate minerals were identified in the gouge zones and protoliths. Xenotime of grey fault gouge of the Sangchon fault and sulfide minerals of contact andesitic rock of Ipsil fault and contact grey andesitic rock of Wangsan fault were probably formed by inflow of hydrothermal solution associated with faulting prior to the Quaternary. Carbonate minerals of contact andesitic rock and gouge zone of the Ipsil fault were formed by inflow of fluid associated with faulting prior to the Quaternary. They are heavily fractured and have reaction rim on their edge, indicating that faultings and inflow of fluids were highly activated after carbonate minerals were formed. Calcites of Wangsan fault seemed to be formed in syntectonic or posttectonic Quaternary faulting.g.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 1994

Two types of sunshine recorders, Jordan and bimetal, were used for measuring the duration of sunshine and percentage of sunshine in Weather Forecast Offices(WFO) and Weather Observation Stations(WOS) in Korea, respectively.These two gauges showed different values in each element observation. To evaluate the solar energy resources by duration and percentage of sunshine, relevant parameter should be adapted to use the two kinds of data for zoning of agricultural climatic area and comparison of regional solar energy distributions. In this respect, the correlation and distribution pattern were found by analyzing data from the two types of sunshine recorders. The results were as follows. The monthly duration of sunshine by the Jordan type was $50{\sim}60$ hours lower than the bimetal type and its value in May was the highest in a year. The percentage of sunshine by the Jordan type was $5{\sim}10%$ lower than the bimetal type. The seasonal difference of sunshine hour data by two types of sunshine recorder became small in winter but large in summer. Standard deviation of monthly duration of sunshine of WFO and WOS was $11{\sim}32$ and $17{\sim}25$ hours and percentage of sunshine was $3{\sim}11$ and $4{\sim}9$ % respectively. The range of deviation in WOS data was smaller than WFO. The highest distribution of duration and percentage of sunshine was in the Southern Coastal Area, whereas the lowest in the Central North Western Area.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2011

Purpose: Presently in the nuclear medicine field, the high-speed image reconstruction algorithm like the OSEM algorithm is widely used as the alternative of the filtered back projection method due to the rapid development and application of the digital computer. There is no to relate and if it applies the optimal parameter be clearly determined. In this research, the quality change of the Jaszczak phantom experiment and brain SPECT patient data according to the iteration times and subset number change try to be been put through and analyzed in 3D OSEM reconstruction method of applying 3D beam modeling. Materials and Methods: Patient data from August, 2010 studied and analyzed against 5 patients implementing the brain SPECT until september, 2010 in the nuclear medicine department of ASAN medical center. The phantom image used the mixed Jaszczak phantom equally and obtained the water and 99mTc (500 MBq) in the dual head gamma camera Symbia T2 of Siemens. When reconstructing each image altogether with patient data and phantom data, we changed iteration number as 1, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 30 times and subset number as 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 times. We reconstructed in reconstructed each image, the variation coefficient for guessing about noise of images and image contrast, FWHM were produced and compared. Results: In patients and phantom experiment data, a contrast and spatial resolution of an image showed the tendency to increase linearly altogether according to the increment of the iteration times and subset number but the variation coefficient did not show the tendency to be improved according to the increase of two parameters. In the comparison according to the scan time, the image contrast and FWHM showed altogether the result of being linearly improved according to the iteration times and subset number increase in projection per 10, 20 and 30 second image but the variation coefficient did not show the tendency to be improved. Conclusion: The linear relationship of the image contrast improved in 3D OSEM reconstruction method image of applying 3D beam modeling through this experiment like the existing 1D and 2D OSEM reconfiguration method according to the iteration times and subset number increase could be confirmed. However, this is simple phantom experiment and the result of obtaining by the some patients limited range and the various variables can be existed. So for generalizing this based on this results of this experiment, there is the excessiveness and the evaluation about 3D OSEM reconfiguration method should be additionally made through experiments after this.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2014

Purpose: I-131 scan using High Energy (HE) collimator is generally used. While, Medium Energy (ME) collimator is not suggested to use in result of an excessive septal penetration effects, it is used to improve the sensitivities of count rate on lower dose of I-131. This research aims to evaluate I-131 SPECT/CT image quality using by HE and ME collimator and also find out the possibility of ME collimator clinical application. Materials and Methods: ME and HE collimator are substituted as Siemens symbia T16 SPECT/CT, using I-131 point source and NEMA NU-2 IQ phantom. Single Energy Window (SEW) and Triple Energy Windows (TEW) are applied for image acquisition and images with CTAC and Scatter correction application or not, applied different number of iteration and sub set are reconstructed by IR method, flash 3D. By analysis of acquired image, the comparison on sensitivities, contrast, noise and aspect ratio of two collimators are able to be evaluated. Results: ME Collimator is ahead of HE collimator in terms of sensitivity (ME collimator: 188.18 cps/MBq, HE collimator: 46.31 cps/MBq). For contrast, reconstruction image used by HE collimator with TEW, 16 subset 8 iteration applied CTAC is shown the highest contrast (TCQI=190.64). In same condition, ME collimator has lower contrast than HE collimator (TCQI=66.05). The lowest aspect ratio for ME collimator and HE collimator are 1.065 with SEW, CTAC (+) and 1.024 with TEW, CTAC (+) respectively. Conclusion: Selecting a proper collimator is important factor for image quality. This research finding tells that HE collimator, which is generally used for I-131 scan emitted high energy ${\gamma}$-ray is the most recommendable collimator for image quality. However, ME collimator is also applicable in condition of lower dose, lower sensitive if utilizing energy window, matrix size, IR parameter, CTAC and scatter correction appropriately.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 2007

Three different experiments were carried out to investigate the runoff and erosion losses of endosulfan from sloped-field by rainfall. The mobility of endosulfan and which phase it was transported by were examined in adsorption study, the influence of rainfall pattern and slope degree on the pesticide loss were evaluated in simulated rainfall study, and the pesticide losses from soybean-grown field comparing with bare soil were measured in field lysimeter study. Adsorption parameter (K) of endosulfan ranged from 77 to 131 by adsorption method and K values by the desorption method were higher than those by the adsorption method. By the SSLRC's classification for pesticide mobility endosulfan was classified as non-mobile class ($K_{oc}>4,000$). Runoff and erosion loss of endosulfan by three rainfall scenarios ranged from 3.4 to 5.6%and from 4.4 to 15.6%of the amount treated. Endosulfan residues were mainly remained at the top 5 cm of soil depth after the simulated rainfall study. Pesticide loss in case of 30%-slope degree ranged from 0.6 to 0.9 times higher than those in case of 10%-slope degree. The difference of pesticide runoff loss was related with its concentration in runoff water and the difference of pesticide erosion loss would related closely with the quantity of soil eroded. Endosulfan losses from a series of lysimeter plots in sloped land by rainfall ranged from 5 to 35% of the amount treated. The erosion rate of endosulfan from soybean-plots was 66% of that from bare soil plots. The effect of slope conditions was not great for runoff loss, but was great for erosion loss as increasing to maximum $4{\sim}12$ times with slope degree and slope length. The peak runoff concentration of endosulfan in soybean-plots and bare soil plots ranged from 8 to 10 and from 7 to $9{\mu}gL^{-1}$ on nine plots with different slope degree and slope length. Therefore the difference of the peak runoff concentrations between bare soil plots and soybean-plots were not great.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 2020

The efficiency of the synthetic magnesium silicate used in basic polyols and edible oil purification is evaluated by its purification ability and filtration rate and is affected by the particle size and surface area of magnesium silicate. In this study, it was investigated the change on the particle size of magnesium silicate was influenced by the reaction temperature, injection rate, injection order (Si, Mg) and Mg/Si reaction mole ratio. The synthesized magnesium silicate was compared and analyzed for the synthesis, grinding, and refining processes. In the synthesis process, the reaction temperature and feed rate did not affect the average particle size change of magnesium silicate, while the reaction molar ratio of Mg / Si and the order of injection acted as main factors for the change of average particle size. The average particle size of magnesium silicate increased by 8.7 ㎛ from 54.4 ㎛ to 63.1 ㎛ at Mg injection when Mg molar ratio increased from 0.125 to 0.500, and increased by about 4.8 ㎛ from 47.3 ㎛ to 52.1 ㎛ at Si injection. The average particle size according to the order of injection was 59.1 ㎛ for Mg injection and 48.4 ㎛ for Si injection and the difference was shown 10.7 ㎛, therefore the filtration rate was about 2 times faster under the condition of Mg injection. That is, as the particle size increases, the filtration time is shortened and washing filtration rate can be increased to improve the productivity of magnesium silicate. The cake form of separated magnesium silicate after filtration becomes a solid through drying process and is used as powdery adsorbent through the grinding process. As the physical strength of the dried magnesium silicate increased, the average particle size of the powder increased and it was confirmed that this strength was affected by the reaction molar ratio. As the reaction molar ratio of Mg / Si increased, the physical strength of magnesium silicate decreased and the average particle size after grinding decreased by about 40% compared to the average particle size after synthesis. This reduction of strength resulted in an improvement of the refining ability due to the decrease of the average particle size and the increase of the amount of fine particle after the pulverization, but it resulted in the decrease of the purification filtration rate. While the molar ratio of Mg/Si was increased from 0.125 to 0.5 at Mg injection, the refining ability increased about 1.3 times, but the purification filtration rate decreased about 1.5 times. Therefore, in order to improve the productivity of magnesium silicate, the reaction molar ratio of Mg / Si should be increased, but in order to increase the purification filtration rate of the polyol, the reaction molar ratio should be decreased. In the synthesis parameters of magnesium silicate, the order of injection and the reaction molar ratio of Mg / Si are important factors affecting the changes in average particle size after synthesis and the changes of particle size after grinding due to the changes of compressive strength, therefore the synthetic parameter is an important thing that determines productivity and refining capacity.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2007

This study was focused on understanding the agricultural non-point sources pollution in 72 rural catchments of Nakdong river watershed from 2001 to 2005 every two year. Also. Pearson correlations between water quality and basin characteristic were computed. Water quality of this study watershed was better in 2003 than any other period. The water quality of upstream was recorded from 0.040 to 0.510 dS/m in EC, from 3.55 to 22.60 mg/L in DO, from 0.32 to 16.64 mg/L in T-N, from 0.00 to 12.21 mg/L in $NO_3-N$, from 0.000 to 0.860 mg/L in T-P, and from 0.000 to 0.640 mg/L in $PO_4-P$. A the downstream, EC was measured from 0.030 to 0.520 dS/m, DO from 4.13 to 18.36 mg/L, T-N from 0.38 to 26.88 mg/L, $NO_3-N$ from 0.10 to 20.12 mg/L, T-P from 0.002 to 0.820 mg/L, $PO_4-P$ from 0.002 to 0.690 mg/L. But there was no difference between upstream and downstream for the water quality. Based on the correlation analysis between water quality and land use, correlation between BOD and residential was the highest positive correlation of 0.541 (p<0.01), and correlation between $PO_4-P$ and forest was the highest negative correlation of -0.451 (p<0.01). Also, T-N, $NO_3-N$, and pH were not correlated with all basin characteristics and basin was not correlated with all water quality parameter. According to the correlation residential was causative of growing worst for water quality, and forest was causative of improving for water quality.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to determine the possible additive effects of endurance exercise training (EXER) and selenium (SELE) on the improvements of glucose and lactate transport capacities in diabetic Goto-kakizaki rats. Animals either remained sedentary control (SED) or performed EXER or received SELE [$5{\mu}mol$ kg body wt (-1) day (-1)], or underwent both EXER and SELE (COMBI), which lasted for 6 wk. Compared with sedentary control, EXER alone or the SELE alone group, or the combined treatment group had significant reduction in glucose response measured at 90 min and 120 min during an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and body weight after 6week treatment. EXER alone, or combined group individually had significantly higher glycogen contents in liver compared with SED or SELE groups. EXER alone increased glycogen content in soleus and plantaris compared with SED, and this parameter was increased to greatest extent in the combined treatment groups compared with SED or SELE groups. EXER alone, SELE alone or COMBI, caused significant decreases in the plasma lactates, serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol and HOMA-IR along with a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with SED. In addition, EXER or COMBI individually had significantly lower serum triacylglycerol compared with SED or SELE. With respect to protein expression related to glucose and lactate transport capacities, EXER alone, SELE alone, or COMBI increased in MCT1 and MCT4 protein level in soleus and plantaris. Furthermore, EXER alone, SELE alone or COMBI caused significant increases in mt MCT1 protein level in soleus and plantaris. The findings of the current study suggest that endurance exercise training and selenium treatment may provide therapeutic values to type II diabetic patients with peripheral insulin resistance and hyperlactatecemia by improving glucose and lactate transport capacities, leading to improvements in plasma lactate, serum glucose, insulin and lipid profiles (TC, TG, HDL).

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.78-83
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• 2012

The structural change and the electrical conductivity with Sr content in $La_{1-x}Sr_xMn_{0.8}Cu_{0.2}O_3$ (LSMCu) were studied. $La_{0.8}Sr_{0.2}MnO_3$ (LSM) and $La_{1-x}Sr_xMn_{0.8}Cu_{0.2}O_3$ ($0.1{\leq}x{\leq}0.4$) were synthesized by EDTA citric complexing process (ECCP). A decrease in the lattice parameters and lattice volumes was observed with increase of Sr content, and these results were attributed to the increasing $Mn^{4+}$ ions and $Cu^{3+}$ ions in B-site. The electrical conductivity measured from $500^{\circ}C$ to $1000^{\circ}C$ was increased with increase of Sr content in the $0.1{\leq}x{\leq}0.3$ composition range, and it was 172.6 S/cm (at $750^{\circ}C$) and 177.7 S/cm (at $950^{\circ}C$, the maximum value) in x = 0.3. The electrical conductivity was decreased in x = 0.4 because of the presence of the second phase in the grain boundaries. The lattice volume was contracted by increase of $Mn^{4+}$ ions and $Cu^{3+}$ ions in B-site according to increase of Sr content and the electrical conductivity was increased with increase of charge carriers which were involved in the hopping mechanism.