• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 2007

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element indispensable for brain development and function; either excess or deficiency in Cu can cause brain malfunction. While it is known that Cu and Fe homeostasis are strictly regulated in the brain, the question as to how systemic Fe status may influence brain Cu distribution was poorly understood. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that dietary Fe condition affects Cu transport into the brain, leading to an altered brain distribution of Cu. Rats were divided into 3 groups; an Fe-deficient (Fe-D) group which received an Fe-D diet ($3{\sim}5 mg$ Fe/kg), a control group that was fed with normal diet (35mg Fe/kg), and an Fe-overload group whose diet contained an Fe-O diet (20g carbonyl Fe/kg). Following a 4-week treatment, the concentration of Cu/Fe in serum, CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) and brain were determined by AAS, and the uptake rates of Cu into choroids plexus (CP), CSF, brain capillary and parenchyma were determined by an in situ brain perfusion, followed by capillary depletion. In Fe-D and Fe-O, serum Fe level decreased by 91% (p<0.01) and increased by 131% (p<0.01), respectively, in comparison to controls. Fe concentrations in all brain regions tested (frontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, mid brain, and cerebellum) were lower than those of controls in Fe-D rats (p<0.05), but not changed in Fe-O rats. In Fe-D animals, serum and CSF Cu were not affected, while brain Cu levels in all tested regions (frontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, mid brain, and cerebellum) were significantly increased (p<0.05). Likewise, the unidirectional transport rate constants $(K_{in})$ of Cu in CP, CSF, brain capillary and parenchyma were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the Fe-D rats. In contrast, with Fe-O, serum, CSF and brain Cu concentrations were significantly decreased as compared to controls (p<0.05). Cu transport was no significant change of Cu transport of serum in Fe-O rats. The mRNA levels of five Cu-related transporters were not affected by Fe status except DMT1 in the CP, which was increased in Fe-D and decreased in Fe-O. Our data suggest that Cu transport into brain and ensuing brain Cu levels are regulated by systemic Fe status. Fe deficiency appears to augment Cu transport by brain barriers, leading to an accumulation of Cu in brain parenchyma.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.133-145
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• 2011

Unsaturated soil column tests were performed for weathered gneiss soil and weathered granite soil to assess the relationship between infiltration velocity and rainfall condition for different rainfall durations and for multiple rainfall events separated by dry periods of various lengths (herein, 'rainfall break duration'). The volumetric water content was measured using TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) sensors at regular time intervals. For the column tests, rainfall intensity was 20 mm/h and we varied the rainfall duration and rainfall break duration. The unit weight of weathered gneiss soil was designed 1.21 $g/cm^3$, which is lower than the in situ unit weight without overflow in the column. The in situ unit weight for weathered granite soil was designed 1.35 $g/cm^3$. The initial infiltration velocity of precipitation for the two weathered soils under total amount of rainfall as much as 200 mm conditions was $2.090{\times}10^{-3}$ to $2.854{\times}10^{-3}$ cm/s and $1.692{\times}10^{-3}$ to $2.012{\times}10^{-3}$ cm/s, respectively. These rates are higher than the repeated-infiltration velocities of precipitation under total amount of rainfall as much as 100 mm conditions ($1.309{\times}10^{-3}$ to $1.871{\times}10^{-3}$ cm/s and $1.175{\times}10^{-3}$ to $1.581{\times}10^{-3}$ cm/s, respectively), because the amount of precipitation under 200 mm conditions is more than that under 100 mm conditions. The repeated-infiltration velocities of weathered gneiss soil and weathered granite soil were $1.309{\times}10^{-3}$ to $2.854{\times}10^{-3}$ cm/s and $1.175{\times}10^{-3}$ to $2.012{\times}10^{-3}$ cm/s, respectively, being higher than the first-infiltration velocities ($1.307{\times}10^{-2}$ to $1.718{\times}10^{-2}$ cm/s and $1.789{\times}10^{-2}$ to $2.070{\times}10^{-2}$ cm/s, respectively). The results reflect the effect of reduced matric suction due to a reduction in the amount of air in the soil.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.185-189
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• 2012

We report plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy of $In_XGa_{1-X}N$ films on c-plane sapphire substrates. Prior to the growth of $In_XGa_{1-X}N$ films, GaN film was grown on the nitride c-plane sapphire substrate by two-dimensional (2D) growth mode. For the growth of GaN, Ga flux of $3.7{\times}10^{-8}$ torr as a beam equivalent pressure (BEP) and a plasma power of 150 W with a nitrogen flow rate of 0.76 sccm were fixed. The growth of 2D GaN growth was confirmed by $in-situ$ reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) by observing a streaky RHEED pattern with a strong specular spot. InN films showed lower growth rates even with the same growth conditions (same growth temperature, same plasma condition, and same BEP value of III element) than those of GaN films. It was observed that the growth rate of GaN is 1.7 times higher than that of InN, which is probably caused by the higher vapor pressure of In. For the growth of $In_xGa_{1-x}N$ films with different In compositions, total III-element flux (Ga plus In BEPs) was set to $3.7{\times}10^{-8}$ torr, which was the BEP value for the 2D growth of GaN. The In compositions of the $In_xGa_{1-x}N$ films were determined to be 28, 41, 45, and 53% based on the peak position of (0002) reflection in x-ray ${\theta}-2{\theta}$ measurements. The growth of $In_xGa_{1-x}N$ films did not show a streaky RHEED pattern but showed spotty patterns with weak streaky lines. This means that the net sticking coefficients of In and Ga, considered based on the growth rates of GaN and InN, are not the only factor governing the growth mode; another factor such as migration velocity should be considered. The sample with an In composition of 41% showed the lowest full width at half maximum value of 0.20 degree from the x-ray (0002) omega rocking curve measurements and the lowest root mean square roughness value of 0.71 nm.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate ecological function of small-scale pond and movement characteristics of mudfish (Misgurnus mizolepis) during midsummer drainage period. METHODS AND RESULTS: In situ experiments were performed in the paddy field with mudfish under the condition of midsummer drainage from 13 July to 29 July 2010. The mudfish used in this experiment is approximately 1,000 individuals with a cut tail. Mudfishs were released in the rice field before midsummer drainage and caught again in the small-scale pond and the paddy field after midsummer drainage. Results showed that the abundance of mudfish was higher in drainage canal than small-scale pond at the early stage of midsummer drainage, because flow was formed toward the drainage canal. In that time, 3% of the total marked mudfish were captured at outlet of drainage canal. As the paddy was drying, 5% of total marked mudfish moved to the small-scale pond during midsummer drainage period. Contrary to the general hypothesis, the marked mudfish was not found in holes in paddy field.of total caught in the small-scale pond ingested mainly animal prey, and it's frequency of empcy stomach was 10%.oOn the other hand, all m total collected in the paddy field showed empcy stomach. It was apparent from the experiment that m total are eeldng normally in the small-scale pond, while m total are not eat properly in paddy field. CONCLUSION(s): As the paddy was drying, mudfish moved to the small-scale pond during midsummer drainage period but mudfish was not found in holes in paddy field. It can be concluded that small-scale provides a shelter and prey to mudfish in the midsummer drainage period.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.407-418
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• 2015

This study is focused on establishing the optimal conditions to enhance the production of antilisterial substances by Lactobacillus paracasei BK57 isolated from Baikkimchi. In addition, the growth and in situ lactic acid and bacteriocin production of this strain were investigated during the manufacture of fresh cheese. And then the efficacy of using Lactobacillus starter as a protective culture to improve the safety of fresh cheese against Listeria monocytogenes KCTC 3569 was estimated. Maximum growth rate and activity of antibacterial substances were obtained in Lactobacilli MRS broth at $37^{\circ}C$ with controlled pH 6.0 after 30 h of incubation under aerobic condition. However, the growth rate and antimicrobial activity of bacteriocin produced in whole milk supplemented with yeast extract (2.0%) as a substrate were lower than those obtained in MRS broth. Live cells and cell-free culture supernatant of BK57 strain were effective in the suppression of L. monocytogenes in milk, whereas the inhibitory of the bacteriocin obtained from BK57 strain was higher in BHI broth than in milk. During storage at $4^{\circ}C$ and $15^{\circ}C$ for 6 days, no significant difference was found in the cell viability and antimicrobial activity of BK 57 strain in fresh cheese. In samples held at two temperatures, there was at least a 15% reduction in the numbers of the pathogen in fresh cheese artificially contaminated with approximately $10^5CFU/ml$ of L. monocytogenes within 6 days. Our results demonstrated the usefulness of L. paracasei BK57 having antilisterial activity as a biopreservative in the cheese making process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2010.02a
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• pp.7-8
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• 2010

The surface conductive layer (SCL) of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamonds has attracting much interest. However, neither photoemission electron microscopic (PEEM) nor micro-spectroscopic (PEEMS) information is available so far. Since SCL retains in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) condition, PEEM or PEEMS study will give an insight of SCL, which is the subject of the present study. The sample was made on a Ib-type HTHP diamond (001) substrate by non-doping CVD growthin a DC-plasma deposition chamber. The SCL properties of the sample in air were; a few tens K/Sq. in sheet resistance, ${\sim}180\;cm^2/vs$ in Hall mobility, ${\sim}2{\times}10^{12}/cm^2$ in carrier concentration. The root-square-mean surface roughness (Rq) of the sample was ~0.2nm as checked by AFM. A $2{\times}1$ LEED pattern and a sheet resistance of several hundreds K/Sq. in UHV were checked in a UHV chamber with an in-situ resist-meter [1]. The sample was then installed in a commercial PEEM/S apparatus (Omicron FOCUS IS-PEEM) which was composed of electro-static-lens optics together with an electron energy-analyzer. The presence of SCL was regularly monitored by measuring resistance between two electrodes (colloidal graphite) pasted on the two ends of sample surface. Figure 1 shows two PEEM images of a same area of the sample; a) is excited with a Hg-lamp and b) with a Xe-lamp. The maximum photon energy of the Hg-lamp is ~4.9 eV which is smaller that the band gap energy ($E_G=5.5\;eV$) of diamond and the maximum photon energy of the Xe-lamp is ~6.2 eV which is larger than $E_G$. The image that appear with the Hg-lamp can be due to photo-excitation to unoccupied states of the hydrogen-terminated negative electron affinity (NEA) diamond surface [2]. Secondary electron energy distribution of the white background of Figs.1a) and b) indeed shows that the whole surface is NEA except a large black dot on the upper center. However, Figs.1a) and 1b) show several features that are qualitatively different from each other. Some of the differences are the followings: the two main dark lines A and B in Fig.1b) are not at all obvious and the white lines B and C in Fig.1b) appear to be dark lines in Fig.1a). A PEEMS analysis of secondary electron energy distribution showed that all of the features A-D have negative electron affinity with marginal differences among them. These differences can be attributed to differences in the details of energy band bending underneath the surface present in SCL [3].

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.53-58
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• 2013

The design for horizontal drain layer on soft ground starts from the decision that the material could be used or not, by verifying material condition in permeability of horizontal drain material according to the weight percent of the dry soil retained on #200 sieve. In the next step of the design, we estimate the thickness of horizontal drain layer to confirm trafficability of heavy machinery in construction work. Successively, the long-term functionality for good drainage of horizontal drain layer is checked and if needed, some means are considered. In this study, the system to recycle mixed coal ash in ash pond successfully as a horizontal drain material on soft ground is presented through the process and the result of its practical construction work. Namely, the pact is confirmed that mixed coal ash in ash pond should be sorted out by sieve screen to a certain extent and the remainders of this mixed coal ash on sieve openings be recycled, because the amount of finer particles than $75{\mu}m$ contained in mixed coal ash in ash pond is quite massive and irregular depending on the coal power plant or the location in same ash pond. In order to sort at large scale in situ, the dimension of a sieve squre hole and the sort-out method, etc. should be decided before the sort-out process. And, it is described that we need to manufacture classifier to sort out mixed coal ash in ash pond, too.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.31-54
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• 2017

In the countries operating nuclear reactors, the development of high-level radioactive waste(HLW) disposal technique is considered as an urgent and important issue for sustainable utilization of nuclear energy. In Korea, in which a low and intermediate radioactive waste repository is already operating, the construction of an underground research laboratory for in situ validation studies became a matter of interest with increasing concerns on the management of HLW. In order to construct and to operate an underground HLW repository safely in deep underground, the stability of rock mass should be guaranteed. As an important factor on rock stability, excavation damaged zone (EDZ) has been studied in many underground research laboratories in foreign countries. For accurate evaluation of the characteristics and effects of EDZ under disposal condition, it is required to use reliable investigation method based on the analysis of previous studies in similar conditions. In this study, status of foreign underground research laboratories in other countries, approaches for investigation the characteristics, size, and effect of EDZ, and major findings from the researches were surveyed and reported. This will help the accomplishment of domestic researches for developing HLW management techniques in underground research laboratory.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.1 s.53
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• pp.45-57
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• 2007

The mean shear wave velocity to the depth of 30 m (Vs30) derived from the western Vs is the current site classification criterion for determining the design seismic ground motion taking into account the site amplification potential. In order to evaluate the Vs30 at a site, a shear wave velocity (Vs) Profile extending to at least 30 m in depth must be acquired from in-situ seismic test. In many cases, however, the resultant depth of the Vs profile may not extend to 30 m, owing to the unfavorable field condition and the limitation of adopted testing techniques. In this study, the Vs30 and the mean shear wave velocity to a depth shallower, than 30 m (VsDs) were computed from the Vs profiles more than 30 m in depth obtained by performing various seismic tests at total 72 sites in Korea, and a correlation between Vs30 and VsDs was drawn based on the computed mean Vs data. In addition, a method for extrapolating the Vs profile from shallow depth to 30 m was developed by building a shape curve based on the average data of all Vs profiles. For evaluating the Vs30 from the shallow Vs profiles, both the methods using VsDs and shape curve result in less bias than the simplest method of extending the lowermost Vs equally to 30 m in depth, and are usefully applicable particularly in the cases of the Vs profiles extending to at least 10 m in depth.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.146-160
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• 2017

$CO_2$ sequestration for alleviating global warming is a hot issue in the world. In this study, TOUGH2 and FLAC3D were combined for analyzing the hyro-mechanical coupling behaviors expected in $CO_2$ sequestration and applied it to Sleipner project carried out in Norway. In the analysis, the influence of pore pressure on in situ stress was considered and the influence of caprock permeability on hydro-mechanical behaviors was analyzed. In the condition of constant injection rate, pressure and saturation at the injection well, liquid and gas saturation in rock, major and minor stress variations with time and distance from the injection well, and horizontal and vertical displacements after injection could be investigated. The major principal stress was quickly increased in the early stage and then slowly decreased to a stable value, which was higher than the initial value. In contrast, the minor principal stress returned to initial value after some increase in the early stage. Surface upheaval was steadily increased and it was up to 15mm in 2 years after injection. When the caprock's permeability was changed from $3e-15m^2{\sim}3e-18m^2$, it was found that the injection well pressure and surface upheaval were inversely propotional to the permeability.