• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
• /
• 2004.03a
• /
• pp.271-277
• /
• 2004

As one of the concepts of the laser/electric hybrid propulsion system, a feasibility study on possibilities of electrostatic acceleration of a laser ablation plasma induced from a solid target was conducted. Energy distributions of accelerated ions were measured by a Faraday cup. A time-of-flight measurement was also conducted for ion velocity measurement. It was found that an average speed of ions from a pure laser ablation in this case was about 20 km/sec for pulse energy of 40 $\mu$J/pulse with pulse width of 250 psec. On the other hand, through an electrostatic field with a + I ,000 V electrode, the speed could be accelerated up to 40 km/sec. It was shown that the electrode with positive potential was more effective than that with negative potential for positive-ion acceleration in laser induced plasma, or pulsed plasma, in which ions were induced with the Coulomb explosion following electrons. In addition, the ion-acceleration or deceleration strongly depended on conditions of pairs of inner diameter and electrodes gap.

• Journal of Communications and Networks
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.411-419
• /
• 2016

This article investigates the problem of distributed channel selection in opportunistic spectrum access networks from a perspective of interference minimization. The traditional physical (PHY)-layer interference model is for information theoretic analysis. When practical multiple access mechanisms are considered, the recently developed binary medium access control (MAC)-layer interference model in the previous work is more useful, in which the experienced interference of a user is defined as the number of competing users. However, the binary model is not accurate in mathematics analysis with poor achievable performance. Therefore, we propose a real-valued one called stochastic MAC-layer interference model, where the utility of a player is defined as a function of the aggregate weight of the stochastic interference of competing neighbors. Then, the distributed channel selection problem in the stochastic MAC-layer interference model is formulated as a weighted stochastic MAC-layer interference minimization game and we proved that the game is an exact potential game which exists one pure strategy Nash equilibrium point at least. By using the proposed stochastic learning-automata based uncoupled algorithm with heterogeneous learning parameter (SLA-H), we can achieve suboptimal convergence averagely and this result can be verified in the simulation. Moreover, the simulated results also prove that the proposed stochastic model can achieve higher throughput performance and faster convergence behavior than the binary one.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• v.9 no.10
• /
• pp.3867-3886
• /
• 2015

This article investigates the problem of opportunistic spectrum access in dynamic environment, in which the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is time-varying. Different from existing work on continuous feedback, we consider more practical scenarios in which the transmitter receives an Acknowledgment (ACK) if the received SNR is larger than the required threshold, and otherwise a Non-Acknowledgment (NACK). That is, the feedback is discrete. Several applications with different threshold values are also considered in this work. The channel selection problem is formulated as a non-cooperative game, and subsequently it is proved to be a potential game, which has at least one pure strategy Nash equilibrium. Following this, a multi-agent Q-learning algorithm is proposed to converge to Nash equilibria of the game. Furthermore, opportunistic spectrum access with multiple discrete feedbacks is also investigated. Finally, the simulation results verify that the proposed multi-agent Q-learning algorithm is applicable to both situations with binary feedback and multiple discrete feedbacks.

• Journal of Korea Society of Digital Industry and Information Management
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.101-107
• /
• 2018

In the stripping scan square wave voltammetry (SV+SWV) polarography that is often used to analyze the concentration of heavy metals in water, we must measure the point where the faradic current that flows by the pure oxidation-reduction reaction at the electrode is greater than the capacitive current, the frequency cannot be too high. Therefore we wanted to find the frequency range that can be measured. In order to do this, we came up with a method to analyze the signal using FPGA Soc. With this method, the frequency of the square wave was increased from 10Hz to 400Hz by 10Hz, and the measuring time of the square wave was changed from 96.695% to 96.765% by 0.005% while 1600 experiments were conducted. As a result, the frequency of the square wave maintained a stable area of potential-current within 320Hz and it was possible to measure the potential-current signal when calculating the measuring time within the frequency range of 96.7155%.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.264-269
• /
• 2023

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are a ubiquitous byproduct of coffee consumption, representing a significant waste management challenge, as well as an untapped resource for economic development and sustainability. Improper disposal of SCG can result in environmental problems such as methane emissions and leachate production. This study aims to investigate the physicochemical properties of SCG and their potential as a reinforcement material in polypropylene (PP) to fabricate an eco-friendly composite via extrusion and injection molding, with SCG filler ratios ranging from 5-20%. To evaluate the effect of SCG on the morphological and mechanical properties of the bio- composite, thermogravimetric analysis, SEM, tensile, flexural, and impact tests were conducted. The results demonstrated that the addition of SCG lead to a slight increase in brittleness of the composite but did not significantly affect its mechanical properties. Impressively, the presence of a significant organic component in SCG contributed to the enhanced thermal performance of PP/SCG composites. This improvement was evident in terms of increased thermal stability, delayed onset of degradation, and higher maximum degradation temperature as compared to pure PP. These findings suggest that SCG has potential as a filler material for PP composites, with the ability to enhance the material's properties without compromising overall performance.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.30 no.3 s.58
• /
• pp.623-629
• /
• 1997

This is cross-sectional study to evaluate a potential relationship between air conduction hearing threshold and blood viscosity in normal adult males(n=1677). We measured hearing threshold in frequency level at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000Hz by pure-tone audiometry and RBC profiles containing red cell number, hemoglobin, hematocrit. Blood viscosity are replaced by hematocrit that are one major factor of influencing blood viscosity. PTAs(pure-tone averages) are measured by hearing threshold averages level at 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz. Grades of PTAs(pure-tone averages) are divided three groups that are less then 10.0dB group, between 10.0-19.9dB group and excess 20.0dB. The results shows significant association among hematocrit, red cell number and hearing loss(age adjust by ANACOVA).

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.157-164
• /
• 1992

Changes in the both inward current and conductance of membrane by the fertilization were observed using the one microelectrode voltage clamp(or switch clamp) technique. Unfertilized eggs and both 1- and 2-cell stage eggs after fertilization were donated from the superovulated mouse (ICR, more than 6 weeks old) treated with PMSG(pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, Sigma) and HCG(human chorionic gonadotropin, Sigma) and naturally mated ones, respectively in this experiment. Membrane potential was held at -90mV and the voltage step was applied from -80mV to 50mV with interval of 10mV or 20mV for 300ms. since both of amplitudes and time courses in the membrane currents were various according to the states of cells and clamping condition, results were presented by their $averages{\pm}SEM$(standard mean error)and ratios or percentages. Inward currents began to appear in response to the step depolarization from -60mV and reached its maximum at -50mV. However, since the potential was not clamped evenly during the voltage step, current-voltage(I-V) relationship might be positively shifted 10 or 20mV. From the steady-state currents plotted in the I-V curve, outward rectification was markedly observed. Peak inward currents$(i_{in})$ at -50mV were $-0.62{\pm}0.23nA$(n=4),$-0.52{\pm}0.25nA$(n=5) and $-0.37{\pm}0.25nA$(n=6), in the 1-cell stage, 2-cell stage fertilized eggs and in the unfertilized eggs, respectively. Pure inward current (difference between steady-state and peak, $i_{in. pure}$) were $-1.01{\pm}0.23nA$, $-0.69{\pm}0.43nA$ and $-0.68{\pm}0.29nA$, respectively in the 1-cell stage fertilized eggs, unfertilized eggs and 2-cell stage fertilized eggs. These results suggested that the outward current in fertilized eggs of 2-cell stage was more increased than those in the unfertilized eggs. Pure inward currents in the all stages of eggs showed a similar fashion in the I-V relationship from -50mV to 50mV and reversal potential at 50mV. Time constant of inactivation$({\tau})$ in the inward current was decreased as the membrane potential was depolarized in the unfertilized and 2-cell stage eggs but in the 1-cell stage eggs t was not likely to be affected significantly. Slope conductances were 14.2nS, 8.9n5 and 7.7nS in the 1-cell, 2-cell stage fertilized eggs and the unfertilized eggs, respectively. Membranes between two cells within a zona pellucida seem to be electrical-connected in the 2-cell stage eggs from the observation made in the analysis for the electronic spread and decay to the current stimuli. Both of inward current and membrane conductance were increased after fertilization in the mouse eggs. Inward current seems to be carried by the same ion or through the same channels up to the 2-cell stage and ion that carried inward current was thought to play important function after fertilization in the mouse eggs.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 2011

Carbon black, a particulate form of pure elemental carbon, is an industrial chemical with the high potential of occupational exposure. Although the relationship between exposure to particulate matters (PM) and cardiovascular diseases is well established, the cardiovascular risk of carbon black has not been characterized clearly. In this study, the cytotoxicity of carbon black to vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells were examined to investigate the potential vascular toxicity of carbon black. Carbon black with distinct particle size, N330 (primary size, 28~36 nm) and N990 (250~350 nm) were treated to A-10, rat aortic smooth muscle cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cell line, ECV304, and cell viability was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage assay. Treatment of carbon black N990 resulted in the significant reduction of viability in A-10 cells at 100 ${\mu}g$/ml, the highest concentration tested, while N330 failed to cause cell death. Cytotoxicity to ECV304 cells was induced only by N330 at higher concentration, 200 ${\mu}g$/ml, suggesting that ECV304 cells were relatively resistant to carbon black. Treatment of 100 ${\mu}g$/ml N990 led to the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) detected by dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF) in A-10 cells. Pretreatment of antioxidants, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and sulforaphane restored decreased viability of N990-treated A-10 cells, and N-acetylcysteine, but not sulforaphane, attenuated N990-induced ROS generation in A-10 cells. Taken together, present study shows that carbon black is cytotoxic to vascular cells, and the generation of reactive oxygen contributes to the development of cytotoxicity. ROS scavenging antioxidant could be a potential strategy to attenuate the toxicity induced by carbon black exposure.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.162-167
• /
• 2008

Degradable implants have been in use for bone surgery for decades. However, degradable metal implants are one of the new research areas of biomaterials science. Magnesium has good biocompatibility due to its low toxicity, and it is a corroding, i.e. dissolvable, metal. Furthermore, magnesium is needed in human body, and naturally found in bone tissue. There have been some published reports also asserting the potential bone cell activation or bone healing effect of high magnesium ion concentrations. The classic method for achieving intertransverse process fusion involves autogenous iliac crest bone graft. Several investigations have been performed to enhance this type of autograft fusion. However, there is no research which has been undertaken to investigate the efficiency of pure magnesium particles in posterolateral spinal fusion. In this study, corrosion behavior of magnesium metal at the bone interface, the possibility of new bone cell formation and the degree of effectiveness in producing intertransverse process lumbar fusion in a sheep model have been investigated. Cortical bone screws were machined from magnesium alloy AZ31 extruded rod and implanted to hip-bones of sheep via surgery. Three months after surgery, the bone segments carrying these screws were removed from the sacrificed animals. Samples were sectioned to reveal Mg/bone interfaces and investigated using optical microscope, SEM-EDS and radiography. Optical and SEM images showed that there was a significant amount of corrosion on the magnesium screw. The elemental mapping results indicate, due to the presence of calcium and phosphorus elements, that there exists new bone formation at the interface. Furthermore, sixteen sheep were subjected to intertransverse process spinal fusions with pedicle screw fixation at various locations along their spines. Each animal was treated with 5cc autograft bone at one fusion level and 1cc magnesium+5cc autograft bone at the other. Six months after surgery, bone formation was evaluated by gross inspection and palpation, and radiological, histological, scanning electron microscopic and x-ray diffraction analyses. It may be stated that the potential for using useful corrosion of magnesium alloys in medical applications is expected to be significant.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.327-331
• /
• 2002

Tea is a pleasant, popular and safe beverage in the world. During the past decade, epidemiological studies have shown that tea catechins intake is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Tea provides a dietary source of health-promoting components to help humans reduce a wide variety of cancer risks and chronic diseases. The antioxidative activity of tea-derived catchins has been extensively studied. The antioxidant effect is a synergistic action between catechins e.g. EGCG, EGC, ECG, EC, pheophytins a and b, and other components in tea leaves, which aye more bioavailable for human body. Green tea has a Higher content of catechins than other kinds of tea. Green tea extract with hot water has high potential and more efficiency to reduce cancer risk than any other tea products or pure EGCG. Protein, iyon, and other food components may interfere with the bioavailability of ten catechins. Interaction of catechins with drug affects the cancer-preventive activity of some cancer-fighting medication. Further studies are required to determine the bioavailability of tea catechins and cancer-preventive functionality.