• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.31 no.6 s.119
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• pp.463-473
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• 2006

Automated sensing of soil macronutrients would allow more efficient mapping of soil nutrient spatial variability for variable-rate nutrient management. The capabilities of ion-selective electrodes for sensing macronutrients in soil extracts can be affected by the presence of other ions in the soil itself as well as by high concentrations of ions in soil extractants. Adoption of automated, on-the-go sensing of soil nutrients would be enhanced if a single extracting solution could be used for the concurrent extraction of multiple soil macronutrients. This paper reports on the ability of the Kelowna extractant to extract macronutrients (N, P, and K) from US Corn Belt soils and whether previously developed PVC-based nitrate and potassium ion-selective electrodes could determine the nitrate and potassium concentrations in soil extracts obtained using the Kelowna extractant. The extraction efficiencies of nitrate-N and phosphorus obtained with the Kelowna solution for seven US Corn Belt soils were comparable to those obtained with IM KCI and Mehlich III solutions when measured with automated ion and ICP analyzers, respectively. However, the potassium levels extracted with the Kelowna extractant were, on average, 42% less than those obtained with the Mehlich III solution. Nevertheless, it was expected that Kelowna could extract proportional amounts of potassium ion due to a strong linear relationship ($r^2$ = 0.96). Use of the PVC-based nitrate and potassium ion-selective electrodes proved to be feasible in measuring nitrate-N and potassium ions in Kelowna - soil extracts with almost 1 : 1 relationships and high coefficients of determination ($r^2$ > 0.9) between the levels of nitrate-N and potassium obtained with the ion-selective electrodes and standard analytical instruments.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.324-332
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• 1998

Studies on relationships between antioxidant nutrients and various chronic diseases are increasing. In this study , serum concentrations of antioxidant minerals(Se, Cu, Zn & Mn) wee measured and compared among normal Korean adults. The ICP -MS method was employed to measure mineral concentrations. The subjects consisted of 329 healthy adults(154 men & 175 women) aged 20-79 years. The mean serum concentration appeared to be 26.4$\pm$0.41 (Se), 89.6$\pm$1.53(Cu), 113.3$\pm$1.56(Zn) & 0.34$\pm$0.05(Mn)$\mu\textrm{g}$/㎗ for men and 24.5$\pm$0.32(Se), 95.1$\pm$1.58(Cu), 133.6$\pm$1.79(Zn) & 0.35$\pm$0.02(Mn) $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎗ for women respectively. Among antioxidant minerals measured, the mean serum levels of Se and Zn were higher in men than in women(p<0.001), whereas that of Cu was higher in women(p<0.01). No significant difference between sex was observed for the mean Mn concentrations. The mean serum levels of Se(p<0.01) and Zn(p<0.05) decreased significantly in the 60's women On the other hand, the Mn concentrations in the 60's of women showed a significant increase(p<0.01). This difference seems to be due to the changes in menopausal status . The Cu levels in men showed a consistent increase with advancing age. The mean Cu/Zn ratios were 0.83 $\pm$0.04 for men and 0.95$\pm$0.02(p<0.01) for women respectively. The fact that this ratio increased significantly at the 60's of men (1.26 ; p<0.001) requires further study in relation to chronic diseases. When analyzed by stepwise multiple regression, drinking positively influenced serum Se and Cu levels for both men and women , smoking, however, negatively influenced all serum mineral levels for women. Further studies are needed to clarify precise roles of antioxidant minerals, their interactions and their relation to disease status.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.89-103
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• 1997

The purpose of this research is to investigate the enrichment and distribution patterns of naturally occurring potentially toxic elements in soils derived from black shales and slates. Soil samples were collected from the Chubu area covered with uranium-enriched black shales and slates of the Changri Formation of the Okchon Super Group, and analysed for multiple-elements using INAA, ICP-AES and AAS. Soil pH and loss-an-ignition were also measured. Trace element contents in black shale and slate of the Chubu area are relatively lower than those in black shales, and higher than those in black slates reported elsewhere (Chon, Jung, 1991; Chon et al., 1996). Soil pH values range from 3.5 to 6.5, and loss-an-ignition values are in the range from 3 to 10%. Potentially toxic elements including As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Mo and U are highly enriched in residual soils with maximum content of $540{\mu}g/g$, $35,000{\mu}g/g$, $280{\mu}g/g$, $300{\mu}g/g$, $240{\mu}g/g$ and $860{\mu}g/g$, respectively. Significant concentrations of those elements were found in soils taken from the Tojangkol, the Chubu tunnel and the Meokti areas. Soils derived from black shales and slates, calcareous and phyllitic rocks, and intrusions were discriminated in terms of As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Sc and U contents. Enrichment index was calculated using the concentrations of As, Ba, Cr and Mo, and enrichment index map shows very similar trend with U distribution in soils.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.734-743
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• 2014

Objectives: By introduced reciprocation motion file in dentistry, dentists benefit simple canal shaping procedure and time-saving. But, reciprocation motion generates uncomfortable vibration to doctors and patients. Because there was no study about this consideration, this study compared vibration pattern and power generated from reciprocation motion motor and conventional rotary motor. Materials & Methods: One conventional rotary motor; X-Smart (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland); and two reciprocating motors; WaveOne Motor (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and X-SMART PLUS (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland); were used in this study. Triaxial $ICP^{(R)}$ Accelerometer (Model 356A12, PCB piezotronics, New York, USA) was attached on motor's handpiece head, and was measured tri-axial vibratory acceleration with NI Sound and Vibration Assistant 2009 software (National Instruments, Texas, USA). Mean vibratory acceleration and maximum vibratory acceleration was measured on fixed position and handed position. The results of vibratory acceleration were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and multiple comparisons are made using Turkey's test at p<0.05 level. Results: Reciprocating motors showed higher mean vibratory acceleration and maximum vibratory acceleration than conventional rotary motor (p<0.05). Between reciprocating motors, X-SMART PLUS had lower mean vibratory acceleration and maximum vibratory acceleration than WaveOne Motor (p<0.05). Conclusion: Reciprocating motors generate more vibration than conventional rotary motor. Further study about effect of vibration to dentist and patient is needed. And it seems to be necessary to make a standard about vibration level in endodontic motors.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2019

BACKGROUND: This experiment was conducted to examine the effects of organic Se concentration and the number of foliar applications on growth characteristics and Se content in rice. METHODS AND RESULTS: A series of multiple foliar applications were performed at (1) 3 times (maximum tillering stage + booting stage + heading stage), (2) 4 times I (effective tillering stage + maximum tillering stage + booting stage + heading stage), (3) 4 times II (maximum tillering stage + booting stage + heading stage + grain filling stage) according to the development stage. Each set of the foliar application plots was treated with 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 100 ppm of Se and with mixed pesticide ($P^*$ + Se 40 ppm) in which the treatment time was the same as that of the treatment 4 times II. The total cultivation period of rice was 184 days. Se contents in rice (brown rice, white rice) were analyzed by ICP. CONCLUSION: The number of grains per head tended to decrease with increasing concentrations of organic Se in all treatments. However, number of panicles per hill did not show statically significant differences between the 3 times and 4 times I treatments. The grain yield decreased with the 3 times and 4 times II, but there was no significant difference in 4 times I. Se content in brown rice was the highest at 100 ppm Se (5268.64) treatment and lowest at 10 ppm Se ($1269.19{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) treatment. Se content in the polished rice was the highest at 100 ppm Se (5047.33) treatment and lowest at 10 ppm Se ($885.05{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) treatment. The higher selenium was treated, the higher Se content was found in the rice (brown rice, polished rice).

• Proceedings of the Korean Radioactive Waste Society Conference
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• 2018.05a
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• pp.57-57
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• 2018

The electrorefining process is generally composed of two recovery steps in pyroprocessing - the deposit of uranium onto a solid cathode and the recovery of the remaining uranium and TRU elements simultaneously by a liquid cadmium cathode. The liquid cathode processing is necessary to separate cadmium from the actinide elements since the actinide deposits are dissolved or precipitated in a liquid cathode. Distillation process was employed for the cathode processing. It is very important to avoid a splattering of cadmium during evaporation due to the high vapor pressure. In this study, a multi-layer porous round cover was proposed and examined to develop a splatter shield for the Cd distillation crucible. Cadmium vapor can be released through the holes of the shield, whereas liquid drops can be collected in the multiple hemisphere. The collected drops flow on the round surface of the cover and flow down into the crucible. The crucible cover was fabricated and tested in the Cd distiller. The cover was made with three stainless steel round plates with a diameter of 33.50 mm. The distance between the hemispheres and the diameter of the holes are 10 and 1 mm, respectively. About 40 grams of Cd and about 4 grams of Bi was distilled at a reduced pressure for two hours at $470^{\circ}C$. After the Cd distillation experiment, cadmium was not detected and more than 90 % of Bi remained in the ICP-OES analysis. Therefore the crucible cover can be a candidate for the splatter shield of the Cd distillation crucible. Further development of the crucible cover is necessary for the decision of the optimum cover geometry and the operating conditions of the Cd distiller.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.302-313
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• 2008

The purposes of this study are to investigate the concentration levels of fine particles, so called PM$_{2.5}$, to identify the affecting sources, and to estimate quantitatively the source contributions of PM$_{2.5}$. Ambient air sampling was seasonally carried out at two sites in Pohang(a residential and an industrial area) during the period of March to December 2003. PM$_{2.5}$ samples were collected by high volume air samplers with a PM$_{10}$ Inlet and an impactor for particle size segregation, and then determined by gravimetric method. The chemical species associated with PM$_{2.5}$ were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometery(ICP) and ion chromatography(IC). The results showed that the most significant season for PM$_{2.5}$ mass concentrations appeared to be spring, followed by winter, fall, and summer. The annual mean concentrations of PM$_{2.5}$ were 36.6 $\mu$g/m$^3$ in the industrial and 30.6 $\mu$g/m$^3$ in the residential area, respectively. The major components associated with PM$_{2.5}$ were the secondary aerosols such as nitrates and sulfates, which were respectively 4.2 and 8.6 $\mu$g/m$^3$ in the industrial area and 3.7 and 6.9 $\mu$g/m$^3$ in the residential area. The concentrations of chemical component in relation to natural emission sources such as Al, Ca, Mg, K were generally higher at both sampling sites than other sources. However, the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cr in the industrial area were higher than those in the residential area. Based on the principal component analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis for both areas, it was found that soil/road dust and secondary aerosols are the most significant factors affecting the variations of PM$_{2.5}$ in the ambient air of Pohang. The source apportionments of PM$_{2.5}$ were conducted by chemical mass balance(CMB) modeling. The contributions of PM$_{2.5}$ emission sources were estimated using the CMB8.0 receptor model, resulting that soil/road dust was the major contributor to PM$_{2.5}$, followed by secondary aerosols, vehicle emissions, marine aerosols, metallurgy industry. Finally, the application and its limitations of chemical mass balance modeling for PM$_{2.5}$ was discussed.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.343-349
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• 2010

Rapid on-site sensing of nitrate-nitrogen and potassium ions in hydroponic solution would increase the efficiency of nutrient use for greenhouse crops cultivated in closed hydroponic systems while reducing the potential for environmental pollution in water and soil. Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) are a promising approach because of their small size, rapid response, and the ability to directly measure the analyte. The capabilities of the ISEs for sensing nitrate and potassium in hydroponic solution can be affected by the presence of other ions such as calcium, magnesium, sulfate, sodium, and chloride in the solution itself. This study was conducted to investigate the applicability of two ISEs consisting of TDDA-NPOE and valinomycin-DOS PVC membranes for quantitative determinations of $NO_3$-N and K in hydroponic solution. Nine hydroponic solutions were prepared by diluting highly concentrated paprika hydroponic solution to provide a concentration range of 3 to 400 mg/L for $NO_3$-N and K. Two of the calibration curves relating membrane response and nutrient concentration provided coefficients of determination ($R^2$) > 0.98 and standard errors of calibration (SEC) of < 3.79 mV. The use of the direct potentiometry method, in conjunction with an one-point EMF compensation technique, was feasible for measuring $NO_3$-N and K in paprika hydroponic solution due to almost 1:1 relationships and high coefficients of determination ($R^2$ > 0.97) between the levels of $NO_3$-N and K obtained with the ion-selective electrodes and standard instruments. However, even though there were strong linear relationships ($R^2$ > 0.94) between the $NO_3$-N and K concentrations determined by the Gran's plot-based multiple standard addition method and by standard instruments, hydroponic $NO_3$-N concentrations measured with the ISEs, on average, were about 10% higher than those obtained with the automated analyzer whereas the K ISE predicted about 59% lower K than did the ICP spectrometer, probably due to no compensation for a difference between actual and expected concentrations of standard solutions directly prepared.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.543-550
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• 2007

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcer is a representative disease of chronic would with multiple defects of wound healing factors. Many nutrition factors have been known to be essential for wound healing, but objective data are lacking. The purpose of this study is to determine those factors essential for wound healing, and to find out which of those factors are lacking in diabetic foot ulcer patients through this pilot study. Methods: We studied 100 patients who visited our clinic from March 2005 to February 2006 for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with a duration of more than 6 weeks. We checked serum levels of protein, albumin, vitamin A, C, E, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and hemoglobin by drawing 23cc blood after 8 hours of fasting. Protein, albumin, iron, magnesium levels were measured by colorimetry; hemoglobin levels were measured by auto analysis. Vitamin levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), copper and zinc levels were measured by Inductively coupled plasma (ICP). They were compared with normal values. The patients were divided by transcutaneous oxygen pressure levels, age and sex to study the effects of these parameters. Results: 76% and 61% of patients had within-normal range serum protein and albumin levels, respectively. Among vitamins, only the level of vitamin C was low in 55% of the patients. Levels of vitamin A, E were normal or high in 93% and 100% of patients. As for trace elements, levels of iron and zinc were low in 63% and 60% of patients, but levels of magnesium and copper were usually normal or high. Levels of vitamin C, iron and zinc were lower in the low-transcutaneous oxygen pressure group. There were no definite differences according to age and sex. Conclusion: Serum levels of Hb, vitamin C, iron, zinc were low in most diabetic foot ulcer patients. The deficit was very severe in the low-transcutaneous oxygen pressure group.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.172-177
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• 2015

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cell toxicity due to ion release caused by galvanic corrosion as a result of contact between base metal and titanium. MATERIALS AND METHODS. It was hypothesized that Nickel (Ni)-Chromium (Cr) alloys with different compositions possess different corrosion resistances when contacted with titanium abutment, and therefore in this study, specimens ($10{\times}10{\times}1.5mm$) were fabricated using commercial pure titanium and 3 different types of Ni-Cr alloys (T3, Tilite, Bella bond plus) commonly used for metal ceramic restorations. The specimens were divided into 6 groups according to the composition of Ni-Cr alloy and contact with titanium. The experimental groups were in direct contact with titanium and the control groups were not. After the samples were immersed in the culture medium - Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium[DMEM] for 48 hours, the released metal ions were detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test (P<.05). Mouse L-929 fibroblast cells were used for cell toxicity evaluation. The cell toxicity of specimens was measured by the 3-{4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl}-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Results of MTT assay were statistically analyzed by the two-way ANOVA test (P<.05). Post-hoc multiple comparisons were conducted using Tukey's tests. RESULTS. The amount of metal ions released by galvanic corrosion due to contact between the base metal alloy and titanium was increased in all of the specimens. In the cytotoxicity test, the two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of the alloy type and galvanic corrosion for cytotoxicity (P<.001). The relative cell growth rate (RGR) was decreased further on the groups in contact with titanium (P<.05). CONCLUSION. The release of metal ions was increased by galvanic corrosion due to contact between base metal and titanium, and it can cause adverse effects on the tissue around the implant by inducing cytotoxicity.