• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.215-223
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• 2018

Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization is closely linked with the initiation of salivary secretion in parotid acinar cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to be related to a variety of oxidative stress-induced cellular disorders and believed to be involved in salivary impairments. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanism of hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) on cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation in mouse parotid acinar cells. Intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels were slowly elevated when $1mM\;H_2O_2$ was perfused in the presence of normal extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. In a $Ca^{2+}-free$ medium, $1mM\;H_2O_2$ still enhanced the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ level. $Ca^{2+}$ entry tested using manganese quenching technique was not affected by perfusion of $1mM\;H_2O_2$. On the other hand, $10mM\;H_2O_2$ induced more rapid $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation and facilitated $Ca^{2+}$ entry from extracellular fluid. $Ca^{2+}$ refill into intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ store and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate ($1{\mu}M$)-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release from $Ca^{2+}$ store was not affected by $1mM\;H_2O_2$ in permeabilized cells. $Ca^{2+}$ efflux through plasma membrane $Ca^{2+}-ATPase$ (PMCA) was markedly blocked by $1mM\;H_2O_2$ in thapsigargin-treated intact acinar cells. Antioxidants, either catalase or dithiothreitol, completely protected $H_2O_2-induced$ $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation through PMCA inactivation. From the above results, we suggest that excessive production of $H_2O_2$ under pathological conditions may lead to cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation and that the primary mechanism of $H_2O_2-induced$ $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation is likely to inhibit $Ca^{2+}$ efflux through PMCA rather than mobilize $Ca^{2+}$ ions from extracellular medium or intracellular stores in mouse parotid acinar cells.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.450-459
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• 2014

Crushed pinewood and oakwood were studied as an adsorbent for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solution. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to describe the effects of contact time, initial Pb(II) concentration, pH, competing cations, and adsorbent dosage on the Pb(II) adsorption process. Kinetic studies revealed that the Pb(II) adsorption process for pinewood and oakwood followed both pseudo first and pseudo second order model. The Fruendlich model best described equilibrium adsorption data with correlation coefficients ($R^2$) of 0.956 and 0.950 for pinewood and oakwood. The maximum adsorption capacity of Pb(II) onto pinewood and oakwood was found to be 16.853 and 27.989 mg/g, respectively. The Pb(II) adsorption onto both pinewood and oakwood was increased as pH increased in the pH range 3-9. The presence of cations such as $Na^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Al^{3+}$ decreased Pb(II) adsorption. The Pb(II) removal was greater in seawater than deionized water, resulting from the presence of $CO{_3}^{2-}$ and $OH^-$ ions in seawater. This study showed that pinewood and oakwood have a potential application in the remediation of Pb(II) contaminated water.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.32-32
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• 2008

Microstructure and positive temperature coefficient of resistivity (PTCR) characteristics of $0.9BaTiO_3-0.1(Bi_{0.5}Na_{0.5})TiO_3$ [BaBiNT] ceramics doped with $Nb_2O_5$ were investigated in order to develop the Pb-free high Curie temperature ($T_c$)(>$160^{\circ}C$) PTC thermistor. The BaBiNT ceramics showed a tetragonal perovskite structure, irrespective of the added amount of $Nb_2O_5$. They also have a homogeneous microstructure. The resistivity of BaBiNT ceramics was gradually decreased by doping $Nb_2O_5$, which might be due to $Nb^{+5}$ ions substituting for $Ti^{+4}$ sites. The PTCR characteristics of BaBiNT ceramics appeared when the amount of doped $Nb_2O_5$ exceeded 0.0025mol%. Moreover, the abrupt grain growth was observed for the 0.03mol% $Nb_2O_5$added BaBiNT ceramics. It showed an especially high $T_c$ of approximately $172^{\circ}C$ and good PTCR characteristics of a high $\rho_{max}/\rho_{min}$ ratio ($2.96\times10^3$), a high resistivity temperature factor (11.40/$^{\circ}C$) along with a relatively low resistivity ($3.5\times10^4\Omega{\cdot}cm$).

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.89-101
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• 2016

This study investigated spectral characteristics of heavy metal contaminated soil samples in the vicinity of abandoned Boksu mine. Heavy metal concentrations including arsenic, lead, zinc, copper and cadmium were analyzed by XRF analysis. As a result, all of the soil samples excluding control sample were over-contaminated based on the counter measure standard. The XRD results revealed that quartz, kaolinite and smectite were detected for all of the soil samples and heavy metals in soil were adsorbed on clay minerals such as kaolinite and smectite. The spectral analyses confirmed that spectral reflectance of near-infrared and shorter portion of shortwave-infrared spectrum decreases as heavy metal concentration increases. Moreover, absorption depths at 2312 nm and 2380 nm, the absorption features of clay minerals, decreases with higher heavy metal concentration indicating adsorption of heavy metal ions with clay minerals. It indicates that spectral features and heavy metal contamination of soil samples have high correlations.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.191-196
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• 2019

The edible ectomycorrhizal mushroom Amanita javanica is a valuable species protected by forest law in Korea. However, basic characterization data on its use as an important forest resource has been limited. This study was performed to determine mycelia growth characteristics of the domestically isolated Amanita javanica strain NIFoS 1267 on potato dextrose agar media under diverse culture conditions. Physical factors temperature, pH, and light, as well as chemical factors salts, heavy metals, and pesticides were examined for their effects on the growth of the mushroom strain. The mycelia of A. javanica strain exhibited optimal growth when cultured in dark at 30℃ in media with a pH of 5-6. Normal levels of growth were observed in media containing up to 2% saline. At a heavy metal ion content of 50 ppm, mycelial growth was not affected by arsenic ion but was affected by cadmium and lead ions. In the tests performed with two pesticides used in Korean forests, the growth of the mushroom strain was not affected by the presence of abamectin, but was inhibited in media containing acetamiprid, emamectin benzoate, or thiacloprid. These results are expected to facilitate artificial cultivation of A. javanica as a new commercial product.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.315-324
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• 2005

Pain is an unpleasant sensation experienced when tissues are damaged. Thus, pain sensation in some way protects body from imminent threat or injury. Peripheral sensory nerves innervated to peripheral tissues initially respond to multiple forms of noxious or strong stimuli, such as heat, mechanical and chemical stimuli. In response to these stimuli, electrical signals for conducting the nociceptive neural signals through axons are generated. These action potentials are then conveyed to specific areas in the spinal cord and in the brain. Sensory afferent fibers are heterogeneous in many aspects. For example, sensory nerves are classified as $A{\alpha}$, $-{\beta}$, $-{\delta}$ and C-fibers according to their diameter and degree of myelination. It is widely accepted that small sensory fibers tend to respond to vigorous or noxious stimuli and related to nociception. Thus these fibers are specifically called nociceptors. Most of nociceptors respond to noxious mechanical stimuli and heat. In addition, these sensory fibers also respond to chemical stimuli [Davis et al. (1993)] such as capsaicin. Thus, nociceptors are considered polymodal. Recent advance in research on ion channels in sensory neurons reveals molecular mechanisms underlying how various types of stimuli can be transduced to neural signals transmitted to the brain for pain perception. In particular, electrophysiological studies on ion channels characterize biophysical properties of ion channels in sensory neurons. Furthermore, molecular biology leads to identification of genetic structures as well as molecular properties of ion channels in sensory neurons. These ion channels are expressed in axon terminals as well as in cell soma. When these channels are activated, inward currents or outward currents are generated, which will lead to depolarization or hyperpolarization of the membrane causing increased or decreased excitability of sensory neurons. In order to depolarize the membrane of nerve terminals, either inward currents should be generated or outward currents should be inhibited. So far, many cationic channels that are responsible for the excitation of sensory neurons are introduced recently. Activation of these channels in sensory neurons is evidently critical to the generation of nociceptive signals. The main channels responsible for inward membrane currents in nociceptors are voltage-activated sodium and calcium channels, while outward current is carried mainly by potassium ions. In addition, activation of non-selective cation channels is also responsible for the excitation of sensory neurons. Thus, excitability of neurons can be controlled by regulating expression or by modulating activity of these channels.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.219-228
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• 2010

It has been well known that concrete structures exposed to acid and sulfate environments such as sewer, sewage and wastewater, soil, groundwater, and seawater etc. show significant decrease in their durability due to chemical attack. Such deleterious acid and sulfate attacks lead to expansion and cracking in concrete, and thus, eventually result in damage to concrete matrix by forming expansive hydration products due to the reaction between portland cement hydration products and acid and sulfate ions. Objectives of this experimental research are to investigate the effect of mineral admixtures on the resistance to acid and sulfate attack in concrete and to suggest high-resistance concrete mix against acid and sulfate attack. For this purpose, concretes specimens with three types of cement (ordinary portland cement (OPC), binary blended cement (BBC), and ternary blended cement (TBC) composed of different types and proportions of admixtures) were prepared at water-biner ratios of 32% and 43%. The concrete specimens were immersed in fresh water, 5% sulfuric acid, 10% sodium sulfate, and 10% magnesium sulfate solutions for 28, 56, 91, 182, and 365 days, respectively. To evaluate the resistance to acid and sulfate for concrete specimens, visual appearance changes were observed and compressive strength ratios and mass change ratios were measured. It was observed from the test results that the resistance against sulfuric acid and sodium sulfate solutions of the concretes containing mineral admixtures were much better than that of OPC concrete, but in the case of magnesium sulfate solution the concretes containing mineral admixtures was less resistant than OPC concrete due to formation of magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) which is non-cementitious.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.100-109
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• 2002

Significant damage to concrete results from the intrusion of corrosive solutions, for example, dissolved chlorides corrode reinforcing steel and cause spatting. Effectively blocks the penetration of these solutions will eliminate or greatly reduce this damage and lead to increased durability. This study is to investigate the effects of pozzolanic admixtures, fly ash and silica fume, and a blast furnace slag on the chloride ion penetration of concretes. The main experimental variables wore the water-cementitious material ratios, the types and amount of admixtures, and the curing time. And it is tested for the porosity and pore size distributions of cement paste, chloride ion permeability based on electrical conductance, and 180-day ponding test for chloride intrusion. The results show that the resistance of concrete to the penetration of chloride ions increases as the w/c was decreased, and the increasing of curing time. Also, concrete with pozzolans exhibited higher resistance to chloride ion penetration than the plain concrete. The significant reduction in chloride ion permeability(charge passed) of concrete with pozzolans due to formation of a discontinuous macro-pore system which inhibits flow. It is shown that there is a relationship between chloride ion permeability and depth of chloride ion penetration of concrete, based on the pore structure (porosity and pore size distributions) of cement paste.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.8-14
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• 2023

Lithium ions can induce the thermal runaway phenomenon and lead to reignition due to electrical, mechanical, and environmental factors such as high temperature, smoke generation, explosions, or flames, which is extremely likely to create safety concerns. Therefore, one of the ways to improve the flame retardancy of the electrolyte is to use a flame-retardant additive. Comparing the associated characteristic value of existing substances with the required experimental value, it was found that these values were either considerably different or were not documented. It is vital to know a substance's combustion characteristic values, flash point, explosion limit, and autoignition temperature (AIT) as well as its combustion characteristics before using it. In this research, the flash point and AIT of materials were measured by mixing a highly volatile and flammable substance, diethyl carbonate (DEC), with flame-retardant dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). The flash point of DEC, which is a pure substance, was 29℃, and that for DMMP was 65℃. Further, the lower explosion limit calculated using the measured flash point of DEC was 1.79 Vol.%, while that for DMMP was 0.79 Vol.%. The AIT was 410℃ and 390℃ for DEC and DMMP, respectively. In particular, since the AIT of DMMP has not been discussed in any previous study, it is necessary to ensure safety through experimental values. In this study, the experimental and regression analysis revealed that the average absolute deviation (ADD) for the flash point of the DEC+DMMP DEC+DMMP system is 0.58 sec and that the flash point tends to increase according to changes in the composition employed. It also revealed that the AAD for the AIT of the mixture was 3.17 sec and that the AIT tended to decrease and then increase based on changes in the composition.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.357-365
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• 2000

Paneth cells have been suggested to contribute to the elimination of excess metals into the intestinal lumen. The purpose of this study wat to investigate the changes of the zinc pools in rats subjected to functional loading with zinc salt by mean of both light and electron microscopical autometallography (AMG). Wistar rats 4 were administrated with zinc chloride (20 mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneally dissolved in 1 ml distilled water. The control group received 1 ml saline IP. After further one hour the animals were transcardially perfused with 0.4% sodium sulphide dissolved in 0.1 M PB fellowed by 3% glutaraldehyde solution for 10 minutes. Pieces of ileum were frozen with solid $CO_2$ and sectioned on a cryostat. The sections $(20{\mu}m)$ were autometallographically developed. Sections selected for EM were reembedded on top of a blank Epon block, from which ultrathin sections (100 nm) were cut. The ultrathin sections were double stained with uranyl acetate (30 min) and lead citrate (5 min), then examined under electron microscope. Studies of comparable sections from control and zinc loaded animals with the AMG selenium method gave quite different results. The control animals demonstrated a weakly positive staining in the cytoplasm of the Paneth cells. In the electron microscope the AMG silver grains were found to be located in the cytoplasm, while the electron dense secretary granules and other cell organelles were void of staining. Few AMG grains were located at the apical surface of the Paneth cells. In sections from zinc loaded rats, the AMG grains were seen in abundance in the lumen of the Lieberkuhn crypts at light microscopic levels. At EM levels the zinc revealing silver grains were located in the cytoplasm as in the controls, but much more AMG grains were shifted into the secretary granules. Furthermore, profound AMG grains were found in the lumen of the crypts and surrounding vessels. And a few grains were seen in the endothelium. The AMG technique demonstrated a pattern of AMG grains in the Paneth cells that strongly suggests a transport of zinc ions through these cells.