• Title/Summary/Keyword: Direct firing

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Imaging and analysis of genetically encoded calcium indicators linking neural circuits and behaviors

  • Oh, Jihae;Lee, Chiwoo;Kaang, Bong-Kiun
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • v.23 no.4
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    • pp.237-249
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    • 2019
  • Confirming the direct link between neural circuit activity and animal behavior has been a principal aim of neuroscience. The genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI), which binds to calcium ions and emits fluorescence visualizing intracellular calcium concentration, enables detection of in vivo neuronal firing activity. Various GECIs have been developed and can be chosen for diverse purposes. These GECI-based signals can be acquired by several tools including two-photon microscopy and microendoscopy for precise or wide imaging at cellular to synaptic levels. In addition, the images from GECI signals can be analyzed with open source codes including constrained non-negative matrix factorization for endoscopy data (CNMF_E) and miniscope 1-photon-based calcium imaging signal extraction pipeline (MIN1PIPE), and considering parameters of the imaged brain regions (e.g., diameter or shape of soma or the resolution of recorded images), the real-time activity of each cell can be acquired and linked with animal behaviors. As a result, GECI signal analysis can be a powerful tool for revealing the functions of neuronal circuits related to specific behaviors.

An Investigation on Gridline Edges in Screen-Printed Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

  • Kim, Seongtak;Park, Sungeun;Kim, Young Do;Kim, Hyunho;Bae, Soohyun;Park, Hyomin;Lee, Hae-Seok;Kim, Donghwan
    • Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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    • 2014.02a
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    • pp.490.2-490.2
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    • 2014
  • Since the general solar cells accept sun light at the front side, excluding the electrode area, electrons move from the emitter to the front electrode and start to collect at the grid edge. Thus the edge of gridline can be important for electrical properties of screen-printed silicon solar cells. In this study, the improvement of electrical properties in screen-printed crystalline silicon solar cells by contact treatment of grid edge was investigated. The samples with $60{\Omega}/{\square}$ and $70{\Omega}/{\square}$ emitter were prepared. After front side of samples was deposited by SiNx commercial Ag paste and Al paste were printed at front side and rear side respectively. Each sample was co-fired between $670^{\circ}C$ and $780^{\circ}C$ in the rapid thermal processing (RTP). After the firing process, the cells were dipped in 2.5% hydrofluoric acid (HF) at room temperature for various times under 60 seconds and then rinsed in deionized water. (This is called "contact treatment") After dipping in HF for a certain period, the samples from each firing condition were compared by measurement. Cell performances were measured by Suns-Voc, solar simulator, the transfer length method and a field emission scanning electron microscope. According to HF treatment, once the thin glass layer at the grid edge was etched, the current transport was changed from tunneling via Ag colloids in the glass layer to direct transport via Ag colloids between the Ag bulk and the emitter. Thus, the transfer length as well as the specific contact resistance decreased. For more details a model of the current path was proposed to explain the effect of HF treatment at the edge of the Ag grid. It is expected that HF treatment may help to improve the contact of high sheet-resistance emitter as well as the contact of a high specific contact resistance.

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AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF ALUMINA AND ZIRCONIA ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF DENTAL CORE PORCELAIN (Alumina와 zirconia가 치과용 코아 도재의 물리적 성질에 미치는 영향에 관한 실험적 연구)

  • Shin Hyeon-Soo;Lee Sang-Jin;Lee Keun-Woo
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.317-349
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    • 1993
  • This study investigated the effect of filler particle size and weight% on mechanical properties of dental core porcelain. In alumina, variation in particle size and weight% and in zirconia, variation in weight%, all specimens were tested three-point bending strength, transmittance, thermal expansion coefficient, porosity and shrinkage and observed with SEM and analysed with X-ray diffractometer. In order to develop shrink-free porcelain, after firing alumina only, glass wasinfiltrated. And aluminum was added to alumina with the expanding character of aluminum oxidize into alumina, and was followed by second firing of glass infiltration procedure. Then mechanical properties were observed. The results of this study were obtained as follows. 1. The bending strength of zirconia was higher than that of alumina, and $5{\mu}m$ alumina had highest strength in variation of particle size of alumina. Except for $5{\mu}m$ alumina, increased with weight%, bending strength increased up to 80% and decreased at 90%. In case of glass infiltration, bending strength was slight higher than 80% and 90% of $5{\mu}m$ alumina. 2. Transmittance increased with increase of shrinkage, decrease of porosity, and with increase of filler size and had no direct correlation with weight%. 3. Thermal expansion coefficient of alumina group was $7.42\sim8.64\times10^{-6}/^{\circ}C$ and that of zirconia group was $9.83\sim12.11\times10^{-6}/^{\circ}C$ and the latter was higher than the former. 4. In x-ray diffraction analysis, alumina group and zirconia group increased $Al_2O_3$ peak and $t-ZrO_2$ peak with increase of weight%. The second phase(cristobalite peak) was observed in zirconia 40% group. 5. Porosity of zirconia was lower than that of alumina and $5{\mu}m$ alumina group had many pores with SEM. In case of low filler content, fracture occurred in glass and high filler content, in glass and filler. In case of aluminum addition to alumina, small oxidised aluminum was observed. 6. Zirconia group had high shrinkage than alumina group, and mixed group of alumina group had high shrinkage. In case of glass infiltration, shrinkage decreased and aluminum addition to alumina group was almost shrink-free.

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Systematic Design Method of Fuzzy Logic Controllers by Using Fuzzy Control Cell (퍼지제어 셀을 이용한 퍼지논리제어기의 조직적인 설계방법)

  • 남세규;김종식;유완석
    • Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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    • v.16 no.7
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    • pp.1234-1243
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    • 1992
  • A systematic procedure to design fuzzy PID controllers is developed in this paper. The concept of local fuzzy control cell is proposed by introducing both an adequate global control rule and membership functions to simplify a fuzzy logic controller. Fuzzy decision is made by using algebraic product and parallel firing arithematic mean, and a defuzzification strategy is adopted for improving the computational efficiency based on nonfuzzy micro-processor. A direct method, transforming the typical output of quasi-linear fuzzy operator to the digital compensator of PID form, is also proposed. Finally, the proposed algorithm is applied to an DC-servo motor. It is found that this algorithm is systematic and robust through computer simulations and implementation of controller using Intel 8097 micro-processor.

Analysis of Neuronal Activities of Retinal Ganglion Cells of Degenerated Retina Evoked by Electrical Pulse Stimulation (전기자극펄스에 대한 변성망막 신경절세포의 응답특성 분석)

  • Ryu, Sang-Baek;Lee, Jong-Seung;Ye, Jang-Hee;Goo, Yong-Sook;Kim, Chi-Hyun;Kim, Kyung-Hwan
    • Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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    • v.30 no.4
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    • pp.347-354
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    • 2009
  • For the reliable transmission of meaningful visual information using prosthetic electrical stimulation, it is required to develop an effective stimulation strategy for the generation of electrical pulse trains based on input visual information. The characteristics of neuronal activities of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) evoked by electrical stimulation should be understood for this purpose. In this study, for the development of an optimal stimulation strategy for visual prosthesis, we analyzed the neuronal responses of RGCs in rd1 mouse, photoreceptor-degenerated retina of animal model of retinal diseases (retinitis pigmentosa). Based on the in-vitro model of epiretinal prosthesis which consists of planar multielectrode array (MEA) and retinal patch, we recorded and analyzed multiunit RGC activities evoked by amplitude-modulated electrical pulse trains. Two modes of responses were observed. Short-latency responses occurring at 3 ms after the stimulation were estimated to be from direct stimulation of RGCs. Long-latency responses were also observed mainly at 2 - 100 ms after stimulation and showed rhythmic firing with same frequency as the oscillatory background field potential. The long-latency responses could be modulated by pulse amplitude and duration. From the results, we expect that optimal stimulation conditions such as pulse amplitude and pulse duration can be determined for the successful transmission of visual information by electrical stimulation.

Effect of Glycine on the Action Potential of the Atrial Muscle and Sinus Node Cells of the Rabbit Heart (Glycine에 의한 가토심방근 및 동방결절세포의 활동전압의 변동)

  • Choe, Kyung-Hoon;Kim, Jin-Hyuk;Koh, Sang-Don;Shin, Hong-Kee;Kim, Kee-Soon
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology
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    • v.22 no.2
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    • pp.219-230
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    • 1988
  • The effect of glycine, structurally the most simple amino acid was investigated on the electrophysiological characteristics of the isolated superfused atrial muscle and sinus node cells of the rabbit heart. Superfusion of the sinus node cell with glycine solution (3, 5 and 8 mM) produced concentration-dependent increments of OS (overshoot potential) and MDP (maximum diastolic potential). Generally action potential amplitude increased as a result of greater increment of OS than that of MDP. The changes in action potential of the sinus node cell peaked in $7{\sim}10{\;}minutes$ after onset of superfusioin. On the contrary to the response to intravenously administered glycine, the rate of spontaneous firing of sinus node cell was invariably increased following superfusion with glycine. Action potential duration manifested as $APD_{60}$ (time to 60% repolarization) was significantly shortened by glycine. And the electrophysiological effects of glycine on the atrial muscle cell were similar to that on the sinus node cells. The results of present study suggest that glycine can exert direct effects on the atrial muscle and sinus node cells of the rabbit heart.

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CORRELATIONS BETWEEN HIPPOCAMPAL THETA RHYTHM AND INTRACELLULAR CHARACTERISTICS OF PYRAMIDAL NEURONS (해마 theta 리듬과 pyramidal neuron의 세포내 특성과의 상관관계)

  • Kwon, Oh-Heung;Kim, Young-Jin;Nam, Soon-Hyeun;Kim, Hyeun-Jung;Lee, Man-Gee;Cho, Jin-Hwa;Choi, Byung-Ju
    • Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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    • v.25 no.4
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    • pp.671-682
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    • 1998
  • Electrophysiological phenomena of pyramidal cells in the CA1 area of the dorsal hippocampus were recorded from and filled with neurobiotin in anesthetized rats. The electropharmacological properties of membrane as well as the cellular-synaptic generation of rhythmic slow activity (theta) were examined. The intracellular response characteristics of these pyramidal cells were distinctly different from responses of interneurons. Pyramidal cells had a high resting membrane potential, a low input resistance, and a large amplitude action potential. A afterhyperpolarization was followed a single action potential. Most of pyramidal cells did not display a spontaneous firing. Pyramidal cells displayed weak inward rectification and anodal break excitation. The slope of the frequency-current relation was 53.4 Hz/nA for the first interspike interval and 15.9 Hz/nA for the last intervals, suggesting the presence of spike frequency adaptation. Neurobiotin-filled neurons showed pyramidal morphology. Cells were generally bipolar dendritc processes ramifying in stratum lacunosum-moleculare, radiatum, and oriens. Commissural stimulation discharged pyramidal cells, followed by excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs and IPSPs). The frequency of theta-related membrane potential oscillation was voltage-independent in pyramidal neurons. At strong depolarization levels (less than 30 mV) pyramidal cells emitted sodium spike oscillation, phase-locked to theta. The observations provide direct evidence that theta-related rhythmic hyperpolarization of principal cells is brought by the rhythmically discharging interneurons. Furthermore, the findings in which interneurons were also paced by rhythmic inhibitory postsynaptic potentials during theta suggest that they were periodically hyperpolarized by their GABAergic septal afferents.

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An Accuracy Improvement Method on Acoustic Source Localization Using Ground Reflection Effect (지면반사효과를 이용한 폭발 소음원의 위치 추정 정밀도 향상법)

  • Go, Yeong-Ju;Choi, Donghun;Lee, Jaehyung;Choi, Jong-Soo;Ha, Jae-Hyoun;Na, Taeheum
    • Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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    • v.26 no.1
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    • pp.69-74
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    • 2016
  • A technique for improving estimation accuracy is introduced in order to locate the impact position of artillery shell during the weapon scoring test. Study on localization of impacts using acoustic measurement has been conducted and the usability of sensor array is verified with experiments. When the blast occurs above the ground in the firing range, the acoustic sensor above the ground can measure the directly propagated sound with the ground-reflected one. In this study, a method for reducing estimation error by using the reflection signal measurements based on the time difference of arrival method. Considering the reflection sound works as same as placing a virtual sensor symmetrically through the ground. This idea enables a virtual three-dimensional array configuration with a two-dimensional plane array above the ground as such. The time difference between the direct and the reflected propagations can be estimated using cepstrum analysis. Performance test has been made in the simulation experiment in the football size area.

Operational characteristics analysis of a 8 mH class HTS DC reactor for an LCC type HVDC system

  • Kim, S.K.;Go, B.S.;Dinh, M.C.;Kim, J.H.;Park, M.;Yu, I.K.
    • Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.32-35
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    • 2015
  • Many kinds of high temperature superconducting (HTS) devices are being developed due to its several advantages. In particular, the advantages of HTS devices are maximized under the DC condition. A line commutated converter (LCC) type high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system requires large capacity of DC reactors to protect the converters from faults. However, conventional DC reactor made of copper causes a lot of electrical losses. Thus, it is being attempted to apply the HTS DC reactor to an HVDC transmission system. The authors have developed a 8 mH class HTS DC reactor and a model-sized LCC type HVDC system. The HTS DC reactor was operated to analyze its operational characteristics in connection with the HVDC system. The voltage at both ends of the HTS DC reactor was measured to investigate the stability of the reactor. The voltages and currents at the AC and DC side of the system were measured to confirm the influence of the HTS DC reactor on the system. Two 5 mH copper DC reactors were connected to the HVDC system and investigated to compare the operational characteristics. In this paper, the operational characteristics of the HVDC system with the HTS DC reactor according to firing angle are described. The voltage and current characteristics of the system according to the types of DC reactors and harmonic characteristics are analyzed. Through the results, the applicability of an HTS DC reactor in an HVDC system is confirmed.

A Vision for Nursing Education Reform in Korea (한국 간호교육에 대한 개혁 전망)

  • 김모임
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.313-318
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    • 1994
  • To build a suitable National Health Care System for the coming 21s1 century, Nursing must also be renewed. The future Korea will be united and the majority of its population will raidly consist of the aged. Economically standing on the same level with developed countries the growth of scientific technologies will foster communications, firing astounding changes in the medical field. While the overall life style pattern of Koereans not to mention the structure of diseases undergo change, the possibility that the reckless induction of high-tech health care may only cause medical fees to eascafate. It can전so be expected that the health care system will evolve towards the consumers. Nursing in the 21s1 century will be of two scenarios according to WHO, which presents the role of the nurse. The first scenario is that "a gen-eric health care work force" namely a "care giver" will replace all other health professions. If Nursing does not become the compatent profession fitting to this purpose it will eventually dei out. The second scenario is that nurses who are educated in a well grounded and extensive general background and have command of a specialized area will undertake services varying from health pro-motion to treatment and rehabilitation both direct and indirectly, while supervising other personnel. The nurse here would become the "care giver". To become the necessary health care profession in the 21s1 century, nurses should be provided with more educational opportunities, variating in its con-tents, course, and system, enabling them to grow. Clair Faign points out that the minimal educational entry for the nursing profession is a 4 year undergraduate education in this aspect, now in the time to set the future of Nursing into the course of the first scenario. A new educational system stipulating a baccalaureate nursing degree is in urgent need, and aside from govermental actions nurse themseives should formaily officiallze this process, striving for quality assurance. While considering 6 years nursing education programs, multifarious degree courses for existing 3 years educated nurse should be provided Junior nursing schools must devise measures to grow into baccalaucate institutions, also. Among the existing courses, the Self Study Degree Program should be converted into RN, BSN courese provided by universities, and clinical training for the University on the Air must be supplimented, The possibility of establishing nursing courses into commercial high school programs only jeopardizes the development of the nursing profession.

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