• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1703-1712
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• 2015

The in vitro maturation (IVM) efficiency of porcine embryos is still low because of poor oocyte quality. Although brilliant cresyl blue positive (BCB+) oocytes with low glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activity have shown superior quality than BCB negative (-) oocytes with high G6PDH activity, the use of a BCB staining test before IVM is still controversial. This study aimed to shed more light on the subcellular characteristics of porcine oocytes after selection using BCB staining. We assessed germinal vesicle chromatin configuration, cortical granule (CG) migration, mitochondrial distribution, the levels of acetylated lysine 9 of histone H3 (AcH3K9) and nuclear apoptosis features to investigate the correlation between G6PDH activity and these developmentally related features. A pattern of chromatin surrounding the nucleoli was seen in 53.0% of BCB+ oocytes and 77.6% of BCB+ oocytes showed peripherally distributed CGs. After IVM, 48.7% of BCB+ oocytes had a diffused mitochondrial distribution pattern. However, there were no significant differences in the levels of AcH3K9 in the nuclei of blastocysts derived from BCB+ and BCB- oocytes; at the same time, we observed a similar incidence of apoptosis in the BCB+ and control groups. Although this study indicated that G6PDH activity in porcine oocytes was correlated with several subcellular characteristics such as germinal vesicle chromatin configuration, CG migration and mitochondrial distribution, other features such as AcH3K9 level and nuclear apoptotic features were not associated with G6PDH activity and did not validate the BCB staining test. In using this test for selecting porcine oocytes, subcellular characteristics such as the AcH3K9 level and apoptotic nuclear features should also be considered. Adding histone deacetylase inhibitors or apoptosis inhibitors into the culture medium used might improve the efficiency of IVM of BCB+ oocytes.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.365-376
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• 2020

Immature embryogenesis is a useful process in wheat tissue culture, including transgenic technology, because of its high regeneration efficiency compared to that in other tissues. However, it is a very labor-intensive and time-restrictive method, because the preparation of immature embryos is limited to the optimal time after flowering. In this experiment, 'Speed Breeding', a breeding technique that accelerates breeding generation advancement by extending the photoperiod, was applied to the wheat variety 'Bobwhite'. A controlled growth room was constructed by adjusting the photoperiod (22-hour light/2-hour dark) using LED lights at temperature of 22℃. After vernalization of the Bobwhite seeds at 4℃ for 4 weeks, the seedlings were grown in a controlled growth room and a greenhouse to compare the heading date. In both conditions, calli were induced from immature embryos on the 11^th day after flowering. After 4 weeks, the calli were transferred to a regeneration medium. Regeneration efficiencies under greenhouse conditions and Speed Breeding conditions were determined as 45.05% and 43.18%, respectively. Antioxidant enzyme activity and reference gene expression analysis were performed to confirm the presence of stress due to an extremely long-day photoperiod. As a result, the antioxidant enzyme activity was not distinguished from that of the greenhouse condition. The reference gene expression analysis revealed that the PsaA and CDC genes were highly expressed under the Speed Breeding condition. However, expression of PsbA was similar expression in both conditions. These results will provide useful information for the application of immature embryogenesis to the wheat transformation system.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.250-254
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• 2011

We have synthesized bluish-green, highly-efficient $BaSi_2O_2N_2:Eu^{2+}$ and $(Ba,Sr)Si_2O_2N_2:Eu^{2+}$ phosphors through a conventional solid state reaction method using metal carbonate, $Si_3N_4$, and $Eu_2O_3$ as raw materials. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of these phosphors revealed that a $BaSi_2O_2N_2$ single phase was obtained. The excitation and emission spectra showed typical broadband excitation and emission resulting from the 5d to 4f transition of $Eu^{2+}$. These phosphors absorb blue light at around 450 nm and emit bluish-green luminescence, with a peak wavelength at around 495 nm. From the results of an experiment involving Eu concentration quenching, the relative PL intensity was reduced dramatically for Eu = 0.033. A small substitution of Sr in place of Ba increased the relative emission intensity of the phosphor. We prepared several white LEDs through a combination of $BaSi_2O_2N_2:Eu^{2+}$, YAG:$Ce^{3+}$, and silicone resin with a blue InGaN-based LED. In the case of only the YAG:$Ce^{3+}$-converted LED, the color rendering index was 73.4 and the efficiency was 127 lm/W. In contrast, in the YAG:$Ce^{3+}$ and $BaSi_2O_2N_2:Eu^{2+}$-converted LED, two distinct emission bands from InGaN (450 nm) and the two phosphors (475-750 nm) are observed, and combine to give a spectrum that appears white to the naked eye. The range of the color rendering index and the efficiency were 79.7-81.2 and 117-128 lm/W, respectively. The increased values of the color rendering index indicate that the two phosphor-converted LEDs have improved bluish-green emission compared to the YAG:Ce-converted LED. As such, the $BaSi_2O_2N_2:Eu^{2+}$ phosphor is applicable to white high-rendered LEDs for solid state lighting.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.777-782
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• 2011

Micro features on the surface are well-known to have significant effects on optical or mechanical properties such as the optical interference, reflectance at the surface, contact angle, interfacial friction, etc. These surface micro features are increasingly employed to enhance the functionality of the applications in various application areas such as optical components for LCD or solar panel. Diverse surface features have been proposed and some of them are showing excellent efficiency or functionality, especially in optical applications. Most applications employing the micro features need manufacturing process for mass production and the injection molding and roll-to-roll forming, which are typical processes for mass production adopting polymeric materials, may be also preferred for micro patterned plastic product. Since the functionality or efficiency of the surface structures generally depends on the shape and the size of the structure itself or the array of the structures on the surface, it would be very important to replicate the features very precisely as being designed during the molding the micro pattern applications. In this paper, a series of research activities is introduced for roll-to-roll forming of micro patterned film including filling of patterns with UV curable resin, demolding of surface structures from the roll tool, control of surface energy and cure shrinkage of resin and dispose time and intensity of the UV light for curing of UV curable resin.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.963-968
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• 2009

Liquid crystal (LC; E7 and/or ML-0249)-embedded, poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-co-HFP)-based, polymer electrolytes were prepared for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The electrolytes contained 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide (PMII), tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI), and iodine ($I_2$), which participate in the $I_3^-/I^-$ redox couple. The incorporation of photochemically stable PVdF-co-HFP in the DSSCs created a stable polymer electrolyte that resisted leakage and volatilization. DSSCs, with liquid crystal(LC)-embedded PVdF-co-HFP-based polymer electrolytes between the amphiphilic ruthenium dye N719 absorbed to the nanocrystalline $TiO_2$ photoanode and the Pt counter electrode, were fabricated. These DSSCs displayed enhanced redox couple reduction and reduced charge recombination in comparison to that fabricated from the conventional PVdF-co-HFP-based polymer electrolyte. The behavior of the polymer electrolyte was improved by the addition of optimized amounts of plasticizers, such as ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC). The significantly increased short-circuit current density ($J_{sc}$, $14.60\;mA/cm^2$) and open-circuit voltage ($V_{oc}$, 0.68 V) of these DSSCs led to a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.42% and a fill factor of 0.65 under a standard light intensity of $100\;mW/cm^2$ irradiation of AM 1.5 sunlight. A DSSC fabricated by using E7-embedded PVdF-co-HFP-based polymer electrolyte exhibited a maximum incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 50%.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of calcium chloride($CaCl_2$) on the growth and physiological responses of Pinus strobus and the variables that are sensitive to $CaCl_2$. Thus, changes in the visible damage, growth of root collar diameter, plant water content, chlorophyll content and composition, maximum PS II photochemical efficiency, and electron transport rate of P. strobus was analyzed in relation to treatment witih $CaCl_2$. A $CaCl_2$ solution(0.5, 1.0 and 3.0%) was applied in the root zone before leaf unfolding. Leaf browning, defoliation, and drying were observed with $CaCl_2$ application and this pattern was aggravated as the $CaCl_2$ concentration increased and the treatment period became longer. The decrease of growth in root collar diameter and height and leaf water content were observed at $CaCl_2$ 1.0% and 3.0%. The total chlorophyll content indicated that photopigment, PS II photochemical efficiency and electron transport rate significantly decreased at $CaCl_2$ 3.0%. In conclusion, $CaCl_2$ affected leaf water content and led to a decrease of capability in light harvesting and photochemical responses. Also, as a result of the correlation between calcium chloride concentration and growth and physiological response parameters, it was found that the leaf moisture content and the ratio of chlorophyll a and b reflect the damage level of calcium chloride sensitively because their coefficient of determinations were relatively high.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.777-784
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• 2017

Energy harvesting through a thermoelectric module normally makes use of the temperature gradient in the system's operational environment. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain the desired output power when the system is subjected to an environment in which a low temperature gradient is generated across the module, because the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric device is not optimized. The utilization of solar energy, which is a form of renewable energy abundant in nature, has mostly been limited to photovoltaic solar cells and solar thermal energy generation. However, photovoltaic power generation is capable of utilizing only a narrow wavelength band from the sunlight and, thus, the power generation efficiency might be lowered by light scattering. In the case of solar thermal energy generation, the system usually requires large-scale facilities. In this study, a simple and small size thermoelectric power generation system with a solar concentrator was designed to create a large temperature gradient for enhanced performance. A solar tracking system was used to concentrate the solar thermal energy during the experiments and a liquid circulating chiller was installed to maintain a large temperature gradient in order to avoid heat transfer to the bottom of the thermoelectric module. Then, the setup was tested through a series of experiments and the performance of the system was analyzed for the purpose of evaluating its feasibility and validity.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.409-414
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• 2010

The first drainage time in a day was controlled for precise irrigation management with low consumption of nutrient solution in tomato perlite bag culture system by measuring water level of drained water in drainage catchment part. This method automatically adjusted the irrigation time under any condition of light, temperature and humidity, resulting in stable water content in substrates. However, it was difficult to keep the time consistent as they were set. It drained with the deviation of 20 min in the treatment in which the first drainage time was set at 10:00 and 50 min in the treatment set at 10:30. The first drainage time was not constant, but the drain occurred stably before noon in the treatment of which irrigation frequency was longer than 30 min. The drainage ratio was better balanced in all the treatments using drainage level sensors than the treatment using time clock for irrigation control. High water and fertilizer efficiencies were obtained. Although the growth, total yield and sugar content were not significantly different between the treatments, fruit weight was higher in the treatments using drainage level sensors than that using timer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2017

Arsenic (As) has been considered as the most toxic one among various hazardous materials and As contamination can be caused naturally and anthropogenically. Major forms of arsenic in groundwater are arsenite [(As(III)] and/or arsenate [(As(V)], depending on redox condition: arsenite and arsenate are predominant in reduced and oxidized environments, respectively. Because arsenite is much more toxic and mobile than arsenate, there have been a number of studies on the reduction of its toxicity through oxidation of As(III) to As(V). This study was initiated to develop photocatalytic oxidation process for treatment of groundwater contaminated with arsenite. The performance of two types of light sources (UV lamp and UV LED) was compared and the feasibility of goethite as a photocatalyst was evaluated. The highest removal efficiency of the process was achieved at a goethite dose of 0.05 g/L. Based on the comparison of oxidation efficiencies of arsenite between two light sources, the apparent performance of UV LED was inferior to that of UV lamp. However, when the results were appraised on the basis of their emitting UV irradiation, the higher performance was achieved by UV LED than by UV lamp. This study demonstrates that environmentally friendly process of goethite-catalytic photo-oxidation without any addition of foreign catalyst is feasible for the reduction of arsenite in groundwater containing naturally-occurring goethite. In addition, this study confirms that UV LED can be used in the photo-oxidation of arsenite as an alternative light source of UV lamp to remedy the drawbacks of UV lamp, such as long stabilization time, high electrical power consumption, short lifespan, and high heat output requiring large cooling facilities.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the optimal application rate and time of mixed expeller cake (MEC) for the replacement of chemical fertilizer. Dongjin-1, as cultivated rice was used at Fluvio-marine deposit in Honam plain paddy field. Soil chemical properties were improved by the application of MEC. Contents of total nitrogen and organic matter were higher in 70%, 100% plots of basal dressing than standard fertilizer application (SFA) plot. Cation exchangeable capacity was highly increased in 70% plot of basal dressing. Also, the content of organic matter in soil was increased with MEC application. Cation exchangeable capacity, total nitrogen and available phosphate were decreased according to late application time. The content of inorganic nitrogen in soil showed high tendency at more application rate of MEC, and nitrogen mineralization at harvest season have finished in 50%, 70% plots of basal dressing. The content of inorganic nitrogen in soil was increased according to late application time, however it was decreased in the late period of growth. Leaf color value became darker with increased application rate of MEC. Leaf color was dark green in MEC application plots at panicle formation stage, on the other hand, it was light green in 50%, 70% plots of basal dressing at heading stage. SPAD reading value of leaf-color was high during the whole growth stage in MEC application plots. More application rate of MEC showed higher tendency of fertilizer nitrogen absorption. Nitrogen use efficiency was the highest in 70% plot of basal dressing. Absorbed amount of fertilized nitrogen was increased in 10~15days before transplanting and nitrogen use efficiency was high according to the late application time. The ratio of perfect kernel and the content of protein on hulled rice showed high tendency at the less application rate of MEC. The ratio of head rice on milled rice showed high tendency at the less application rate of MEC. Rice yield increased 4% in 100% and 70% plots of basal dressing compare with SFA ($5.18Mg\;ha^{-1}$) plot respectively. Ear and culm length of rice were long according to the late application time, while the numbers of spikelet and ear were increased and the percentage of ripened grain was decreased. Rice yield was increased 2~5% in all MEC application plots compared to SFA plot and especially, increased 10~15days before transplanting in application plots. The optimal application rate and time of MEC on normal paddy field in plain were concluded that 70% basal dressing and 10~15days before transplanting