• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.32-46
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• 2023

Purpose: The present study aimed to compare the immune-enhancing potential of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to Alum against rabies vaccine and the related immunological, physiological, and histopathological effects. Materials and Methods: Alum and AuNPs sole and in combination with rabies vaccine were used at 0.35 mg/mL and 40 nM/mL, respectively. Rats used were categorized into six groups (20/each): control rats, rabies vaccine, aluminum phosphate gel, rabies vaccine adsorbed to Alum, AuNPs, and rabies vaccine adjuvant AuNPs. Results: Liver and kidney functions were in the normal range after AuNPs and Alum adjuvanted vaccine compared to control. Interleukin-6 and interferon-γ levels were significantly increased in groups immunized with Alum and AuNPs adjuvanted vaccine, the peak level was in the case of AuNP adjuvanted vaccine on the 14th day. Ninety days post-vaccination, total immunoglobulin G (IgG) against adjuvanted rabies vaccine showed a significantly elevated antirabies IgG with AuNPs and Alum adsorbed vaccine compared with unadjuvanted one. The total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly increased post-adjuvanted AuNPs adjuvanted vaccine vaccination than in Alum adsorbed vaccine, while MDA was significantly decreased. The histopathological examination revealed detectable alterations post-AuNPs and Alum adjuvanted vaccine immunization compared with liver and kidney profiles post-administration of unadjuvanted and non-immunized groups, meanwhile, splenic tissue revealed hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles indicating increased immune reactivity. Conclusion: The AuNPs are promising enhancers of the immune response as Alum, and the undesirable effects of AuNPs could be managed by using suitable sizes, shapes, and concentrations.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2024

Background: The gamma emission tomography (GET) device has been reported a reliable technique to inspect partial defects within spent nuclear fuel (SNF) of pin-by-pin level. However, the existing GET devices have low accuracy owing to the high attenuation and scatter probability for SNF inspection condition. The purpose of this study is to design and optimize a Yonsei single-photon emission computed tomography version 2 (YSECT.v.2) for fast inspection of SNF in water storage by acquisition of high-quality tomographic images. Materials and Methods: Using Geant4 (Geant4 Collaboration) and DETECT-2000 (Glenn F. Knoll et al.) Monte Carlo simulation, the geometrical structure of the proposed device was determined and its performance was evaluated for the ¹³⁷Cs source in water. In a Geant4-based assessment, proposed device was compared with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-authenticated device for the quality of tomographic images obtained for 12 fuel sources in a 14 × 14 Westinghouse-type fuel assembly. Results and Discussion: According to the results, the length, slit width, and septal width of the collimator were determined to be 65, 2.1, and 1.5 mm, respectively, and the material and length of the trapezoidal-shaped scintillator were determined to be gadolinium aluminum gallium garnet and 45 mm, respectively. Based on the results of performance comparison between the YSECT.v.2 and IAEA's device, the proposed device showed 200 times higher performance in gamma-detection sensitivity and similar source discrimination probability. Conclusion: In this study, we optimally designed the GET device for improving the SNF inspection accuracy and evaluated its performance. Our results show that the YSECT.v.2 device could be employed for SNF inspection.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.122-144
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• 1993

The Kimhae napseok clay deposit was studied to characterize its mineralogy and genesis. Geology of the deposit is composed of Tertiary volcanic rocks and granodiorite. Tertiary volcanic rocks consist of andesitic tuff with minor interstratified tuffaceous shale, and rhyodacitic tuff. The main ore body of 2.4 to 4 m in thickness developed parallel to the bedding of andesitic tuff bed. Its strike and dip are $N70^{\circ}E-N85^{\circ}E$ and $16^{\circ}NW-32^{\circ}NW$, respectively. Two alteration zones; the propylitic zone of albite-epidote-chlorite-quartz assemblage and advanced argillic zone of pyrophyllite-dickite-alunite-diaspore assemblage are developed. Correlation of $SiO_2$ to $Al_2O_3$ shows no relation in propylitic zone, while a negative linear relation in advanced argillic zone. Chemical variation shows that $SiO_2$, $Al_2O_3$, MgO, CaO, $Na_2O$ and $K_2O$ were leached out during hydrothermal alteration. Pyrophyllite, the most abundant mineral in advanced argillic zone, occurs as low temperature 2M polytype. It is closely associated with dickite, diaspore and alunite. The Hinckley index of dickite is 0.83 showing moderate crystallinity. Na content is increasing in the M site with the increasing content of cations in the R-site. the mole percent of Na replacing K in alunite ranges from 53.2 to 71.6. It is also found that pyrophyllite grows in the dissolution site of diaspore. Plagioclase was albitized. Lowering of pH caused mainly by sulfide and sulfate decomposition resulted in preferential leaching of Si. It is inferred that aluminum released from plagioclase in the volcanic rocks as well as from the tuffaceous shale intercalated in andesitic tuff were the main sources of aluminum required for the formation of clay deposit. pH in hydrothermal fluid decreased from propylitic zone to advanced argillic zone with increasing degree of alteration. Based on experimental data reported in the literature and mineral assemblages, the formation temperature of the deposit ranges 270 to $320^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.221-228
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• 2004

This study was conducted to determine the effects of two chemical additives on nitrogen (N) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) contents in litter (rice hull) after broiler chicks were raised for 42 days. Two different additives were applied as a top dressing to the litter at a rate of 200 g ferrous sulfate $(FeSO_4)$ or 200 g aluminum sulfate [$Al_2(SO_4)_3$ $\cdot$ $14H_2O$, Alum] per kg litter, while the control group did not have the two chemicals added to the litter. A total of 64 broiler chicks (4 treatments$\times$4 replicates$\times$4 birds) were fed the experimental diets for 6 weeks. There was no difference in pH between the two chemical treatments and control group, but SRP content was significantly affected on it (P<0.01). SRP contents from ferrous sulfate and alum treated litter at 6 weeks were reduced by $79\%$ and $60\%$, respectively, as the two chemical treatments decreased the pH compared to the control group. In the ferrous sulfate treated litter, EC, TC, $NH_4-N$, $NO_3$-N, and IN contents did not show any difference between $FeSO_4$ treatment and control. However, the differences between $FeSO_4$ treatment and control were found in moisture, TN, ON, AN, PAN, C:N, and C:ON contents (P<0.01). As seen in the alum treated litter, there were differences in moisture, TC, TN, $NH_4-N$, IN, AN, PAN, and C:N contents between alum treatment and control (P<0.05 and 0.01) but no differences in EC, $NO_3-N$, ON, and C:ON. In conclusion, the results of this research show that ferrous sulfate and alum-treatment of poultry litter has the potential to increase N and reduce SRP content by lowering litter pH and moisture content.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.188-197
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare radiopacity and radiographic discriminability of various FRC-Posts. Six FRC-Posts were investigated ; 1) FRC Postec Plus (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein), 2) Snowlight (Carbotech, Lewis center, OH, USA), 3) Dentin Post (Komet Brasseler, Lamgo, Germany), 4) Rely-X Fiber Post (3M ESPE, St.paul, MN, USA), 5) D.T.-Light Post (BISCO, Schaumburg, IL,USA), 6) Luxapost (DMG, Hamburg, Germany) The radiographs of each post with a reference 1 mm / 2 mm aluminum step-wedge was taken using digital sensor. The optical density were calculated by gray value of $10{\times}10$ pixel and compared in mm Al equivalent at five points. Six maxillary incisors of similar radiopacity were used. Radiographs of posts in Mx. incisors of lingual side of dry mandible were taken. We showed radiographs and asked the questionnaire to 3 radiologists, 3 endodontists, 3 general practitioners. The questionnaire was comprised of choices of the highest, lowest radiopaque individual post and the choices of best discriminable post at apical, coronal area. The following results were obtained. 1. Each post system showed various radiopacity. 2. There was change of discriminability between each post and simulated specimens regardless of examiner. Although each post showed various radiopacity, the difference of radiopacity did not affect on discriminability.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 1970

The effect of wollastonite and manganese dioxide on the growth of rice on an acid sulfate soil were investigated in pot experiment. 1. Since aluminum content in the leachate of soil was reduced with increasing the pH and these chemical changes in the leachate were more pronounced by applying wollastonite, aluminum toxicity in flooded paddy rice was overcome by applying wollastonite, or flooding. 2. Poor growth of rice with iron toxicity-like symptoms on the untreated acid sulfate soil may be caused by excess iron and sulfur. Plants applied wollastonite, however, grew normally and did not show any symptoms. Iron and sulfur contents in the plant was reduced by applying wollastonite. 3. Because of the iron content in the both leachate and plant can be lowered by applying wollastonite, iron-toxicity was averted by applying the wollastonite. 4. Application of manganese dioxide in combination with wollastonite did not counteracted iron content in the plant as compared with the wollastonite treatment. 5. The application of wollastonite increased the dry weight of straw and grain yield. Manganese dioxide with wollastonite caused the increase of number of spickelets per panicles and ripened grains as compared with wollastonite. 6. From these results it can be concluded that the major cause of the poor growth of rice on acid sulfate soil is iron toxicity and the Fe-toxicity can be reduced by application of wollastonite.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2010

Ettringite $(Ca_6[Al(OH)_6]_2(SO_4)_3{\cdot}26H_2O)$ is a sulfate mineral that shows a complicate property in concrete. It is often called as "a cancer of concrete" because secondary ettringite formation in hardened concrete often cause expansion and cracking of concrete due to its expansive crystal structure. In the present study, we tested the possibility for crystal growth inhibition of secondary ettringite by crystallization inhibitors that are commercially used for scaling inhibitors in Korea. For the test, we developed a method of ettringite solution synthesis. Three types of crystallization inhibitors were selected and examined the effects On ettringite growth inhibition. The experimental results of ettringite solution synthesis indicated that ettringite was successfully synthesized under condition that the mass balance between calcium hydroxide saturated solution and aluminum sulfate solution was attained. Monosulfate and semisulfate were synthesized when the ratio of $Ca^{2+}$ ions to ${SO_4}^{2+}$ ions was increased. The induction time of ettringite crystallization was less than 2 min. and crystallization was almost completed within an hour. The experimental results of ettringite crystallization inhibition showed that organic PBCT (2-Phosphonobutane-1,2,4-Tricarboxylic Acid) and inorganic SHMP (Sodium Hexametaphosphate) were relatively less effective on ettringite crystallization inhibition under experimental conditions. However, organic HEDP (1-Hydoxyethylidene-1,1-Diphosphonic Acid) effectively prevented ettringite growth with producing amorphous gel phase materials up to inhibitor concentration 0.1 vol.% of aluminum sulfate solution.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2002

This study was conducted to determine the effect of aluminum sulfate[Al$_2$(S0$_4$)$_3$$.$14H$_2$O], commonly referred to as ALUM, addition to broiler litter on 3 and 6 week old broiler performance and the nitrogen content of the litter at 6 weeks of age. The two treatment groups were 134 identical diets with the same protein levels, but one group(T$_1$) had ALUM added as a top dressing to the litter at a rate of 200 g ALUM / kg of rice bran, while T$_2$ did not have ALUM added to the litter. Feed consumption for T$_1$ was higher in the 22 to 42 day-old and 0 to 42 day-old periods (P<0.05). Body weight in T$_1$ was also higher in the 0 to 42 day -old period (P<0.0l). There was no difference, however, in the feed : gain ratio between T$_1$ and T$_2$ During the first 5 weeks, T$_1$ had significantly less(P<0.05 or 0.01) ammonia emission from the litter than T$_2$ but at 6 weeks there was no difference in ammonia concentration between the two groups. At 6 weeks, T$_1$ had a lower litter pH than Ta (P<0.05) and total Kjeldahl nitrogen(TKN) was higher far T$_1$ than T$_2$ (P<0.05). However,71 did not show any difference from T$_2$ in the content of NH4-N and NO3-N. In summary, the addition of ALUM to broiler litter improved broiler performance at 6 weeks, while increasing nitrogen content from the litter used as the nitrogen fertilizer although ammonia emission was increased in T$_1$ at 6 weeks.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 2003

The two experiments in this study compared litter nitrogen (N) contents after broiler chicks were raised for 42 days. Experiment I compared litter treated with aluminum sulfate (alum) [Al$_2$(SO$_4$)$_3$ㆍ14$H_2O$] (T$_1$) with nontreated litter (T$_2$) when the broiler chicks were fed the same levels of dietary protein (23% for 0∼3 weeks, 21% for 4∼6 weeks) Experiment 2 compared the alum treated litters of broiler chicks fed high protein diets (T$_3$) having 20.4% protein for 0∼3 weeks and 19.3% for 4∼6 weeks, with lower protein diets (T$_4$) having protein levels of 18.0% for 0∼3 weeks and 17.0% for 4 6 weeks. Each treatment had four replicate cages. As shown in Table 1, T$_1$ had a significantly (P<0.0l) lower pH and significantly (P<0.05) higher total N (TN), NH$_4$-N and inorganic N (IN) than T$_2$. T$_1$ and T$_2$ had similar moisture, organic carbon (OC), NO$_3$-N and organic N (ON). Alum treatment increased available N (AN) significantly (P<0.05) from 13.75$\pm$0.0l mg/g to 14.90$\pm$0.01 mg/g and predicted available N (PAN) significantly (P<0.05) from 15.00$\pm$0.0l to 16.50$\pm$0.02. The C : N ratios were 18.84$\pm$0.40 (T$_1$) and 19.46$\pm$0.10 (T$_2$) while the C : ON ratios were 28.49$\pm$1.15 (T$_1$) and 28.34$\pm$0.20 (T$_2$) although C : N ratios or C : ON ratios did not show any difference between T$_1$ and T$_2$. In Table 2, T$_3$ had significantly (P<0.05) higher moisture, TN, NH$_4$-N, ON and IN than T$_4$, while the pH, OC and NO$_3$-N were similar in both groups. The AN of T$_3$ increased significantly (P<0.05) from 10.99$\pm$0.0l mg/g to 12.98$\pm$0.03 mg/g, while the PAN increased significantly (P<0.05) from 12.39$\pm$0.10 mg/g (T$_4$) to 14.68$\pm$ 0.30 mg/g (T$_3$). The C : N ratios increased significantly (P<0.0l) from 20.07$\pm$0.20 (T$_3$) to 24.40$\pm$0.10 (T$_3$). The C : ON ratios also increased significantly (P<0.0l) from 28.99$\pm$1.15 (T$_3$) to 35.51$\pm$0.20 (T$_4$). These current research results show increased AN contents and PAN contents in alum treated litter or with increased CP levels regardless of alum treatment. However, none of the litters in this study could initially increase mineralization.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the roughness and surface alternations of three differently blasted titanium discs treated by $Nd:YVO_4$ Laser irradiation in different conditions. Materials and methods: Thirty commercially pure titanium discs were prepared and divided into three groups. Each group was consisted of 10 samples and blasted by $ZrO_2$ (zirconium dioxide), $Al_2O_3$ (aluminum oxide), and RBM (resorbable blasted media). All the samples were degreased by ultrasonic cleaner afterward. Nine different conditions were established by changing scanning speed (100, 300, 500 mm/s) and repetition rate (5, 15, 35 kHz) of $Nd:YVO_4$ Laser (Laser Pro D-20, Laserval $Korea^{(R)}$, Seoul, South Korea). After laser irradiation, a scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis, and surface roughness analysis were used to assess the roughness and surface alternations of the samples. Results: According to a scanning electron microscope (SEM), titanium discs treated with laser irradiation showed characteristic patterns in contrast to the control which showed irregular patterns. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis, only $Al_2O_3$ group showed its own peak. The oxidation tendency and surface roughness of titanium were similar to the control in the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis. The surface roughness was inversely proportional to the scanning speed, whereas proportional to the repetition rate of $Nd:YVO_4$. Conclusion: The surface microstructures and roughness of the test discs were modified by the radiation of $Nd:YVO_4$ laser. Therefore, laser irradiation could be considered one of the methods to modify implant surfaces for the enhancement of osseointegration.